A BJP-backed independent candidate has won a Rajya Sabha seat from Jharkhand following cross-voting by MLAs of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and CPI(ML), according to sources.
The result came after voting for two seats in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, where the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and its allies held a numerical advantage but faced internal vote divisions during the contest.
While one seat was secured by JMM candidate Baijnath Ram, the second went to BJP-backed independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, who reportedly benefited from cross-voting by opposition MLAs.
According to sources, MLAs from RJD and CPI(ML) deviated from the expected alliance line and cast their votes in favour of Nathwani. The RJD has four MLAs in the Assembly, while CPI(ML) has two.
Baijnath Ram secured 30 votes, while Nathwani polled 28 votes. Congress candidate Pranav Jha received 19 votes, and three votes were declared invalid.
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The ruling alliance in Jharkhand comprises JMM with 34 MLAs, Congress with 16, RJD with four and CPI(ML) with two. Despite the numerical strength, internal coordination gaps and cross-voting altered the outcome of the second seat.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which has 24 MLAs in the House, fell short of the required quota on its own but managed to secure the seat through strategic support and cross-voting, sources said.
Following his victory, Nathwani expressed gratitude on social media, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leadership for their support.
The outcome is being seen as a setback for the Opposition bloc in Jharkhand ahead of upcoming political battles, and highlights continuing fissures within alliance arrangements in several states.
Political observers said the result could have wider implications for Opposition unity as Parliament prepares for key legislative business in the monsoon session.
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