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Political activity has intensified within the ruling alliance in Jharkhand as two seats in the Rajya Sabha are set to fall vacant soon. The development has triggered a fresh round of claims and counterclaims between alliance partners Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Indian National Congress.

 

One of the seats has been lying vacant since the demise of JMM founder and veteran tribal leader Shibu Soren. The second seat will fall vacant in June 2026 when the term of BJP leader and current MP Deepak Prakash comes to an end.

 

With the two seats up for grabs, both parties within the ruling alliance have begun staking their claim. Leaders from JMM argue that the party’s political position in the state has strengthened significantly in recent years.

 

They point out that the party’s strength in the state assembly has improved, making it natural for JMM to seek both Rajya Sabha seats. Many party workers and leaders have also expressed the view that JMM candidates should be fielded for both vacancies.

 

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JMM Spokesperson Manoj Pandey said that coordination within the alliance under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren remains strong. He expressed confidence that the final decision would be taken after consulting all alliance partners.

 

Pandey suggested that Congress should show generosity on the issue in the spirit of coalition politics.

 

However, Congress has responded sharply to JMM’s stance. As the second-largest party in the alliance after JMM, Congress leaders say the party also has a strong claim over the Rajya Sabha seats.

 

Congress leaders argue that in several previous Rajya Sabha elections, the party had stepped aside in the interest of the alliance.

 

A senior Congress leader said the party has always prioritized alliance unity and made sacrifices in the past. But this time the situation is different, he said, adding that Congress has a natural claim to at least one of the two seats and expects similar generosity from JMM.

 

Discussions within the ruling alliance over the Rajya Sabha elections are expected to continue in the coming days. The final decision will likely be taken only after consensus between the top leadership of both parties, and further negotiations within the alliance are anticipated.