Political activity intensified across Jharkhand on Saturday as the race for two Rajya Sabha seats gathered momentum, with multiple high-profile contenders entering the fray and signs of unease emerging within the ruling INDIA bloc over candidate selection.
The election, already being viewed as one of the most closely watched Rajya Sabha contests in the state's history, took an intriguing turn after two-time former Independent Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani purchased nomination papers, putting an end to speculation that he might withdraw from the race.
Nathwani’s entry has significantly widened the field and added fresh uncertainty to the electoral arithmetic.
So far, six nomination forms have been purchased for the two seats. The list includes Congress nominee Pranav Jha, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baidyanath Ram, BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh, Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, former YSR Congress Party MP V. Vijayasai Reddy, and Independent Ravi Kumar Yadav, popularly known as Ravi Peter.
Adding to the political intrigue is the entry of Vijayasai Reddy, a chartered accountant and former Rajya Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh. His decision to enter the Jharkhand contest has triggered speculation in political circles, particularly over the source of legislative support required for a valid nomination. A candidate needs the backing of at least nine MLAs to enter the race.
Meanwhile, the ruling JMM formally announced former state minister and senior Scheduled Caste leader Baidyanath Ram as its official candidate. The announcement was made by JMM Central General Secretary and Chief Spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya, who said the responsibility of selecting the nominee had been entrusted to Chief Minister Hemant Soren after consultations with senior party leaders.
Bhattacharya expressed confidence that JMM's 34 MLAs would remain united and ensure Ram's victory. He also announced that the former minister would file his nomination papers on June 8 in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and senior leaders of the Mahagathbandhan alliance.
Political observers view Ram's candidature as a strategic move by the JMM leadership to strengthen Dalit representation within the party while sending a positive message to marginalized communities ahead of future electoral battles.
However, the Rajya Sabha contest has also exposed underlying tensions within the ruling INDIA bloc. Differences surfaced after Congress announced Pranav Jha as its candidate, reportedly causing discontent among sections of the alliance, particularly within JMM circles.
Sensing the need for immediate intervention, the Congress high command initiated damage-control efforts. Senior Congress leaders and party observers Bhupesh Baghel and Ajay Sharma arrived in Ranchi and held discussions with Chief Minister Hemant Soren at his official residence. The meeting is widely seen as an attempt to resolve differences and preserve alliance unity.
With the INDIA bloc commanding 56 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly and the opposition holding 25, the ruling alliance enjoys a numerical advantage to secure both seats. Yet, the emergence of multiple candidates, speculation over cross-voting and second-preference support, and unresolved alliance tensions have transformed the election into a high-stakes political battle.
As nomination filing gains pace and political maneuvering intensifies, the coming days are expected to prove crucial in shaping the final outcome of Jharkhand's closely watched Rajya Sabha contest.
Also read: Kharge files papers for RS re-election from Karnataka
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