Just a couple of days ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand, BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has begun consolidating its legislators, with alliance MLAs being moved to a hotel in Ranchi as preparations intensify for the June 18 contest. Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Babulal Marandi said that a series of meetings would be held to formulate the alliance's strategy ahead of the elections.
While declining to specify whether legislators would remain at the hotel until polling day, Marandi maintained that discussions among alliance members were underway.
NDA has fielded independent candidate Parimal Nathwani for one of the two Rajya Sabha seats going to polls in the state. Marandi expressed confidence about Nathwani's prospects, despite the alliance lacking the numerical strength required for a straightforward victory in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly.
Under the electoral formula, a candidate needs at least 28 first-preference votes to secure a Rajya Sabha berth. NDA currently commands 24 legislators in the Assembly, including 21 BJP MLAs and one member each from the AJSU Party, JD(U), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). The Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha also has one legislator.
In contrast, the ruling INDIA bloc enjoys a comfortable majority with 56 MLAs. Its strength comprises 34 legislators from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), 16 from the Congress, four from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and two from CPI(ML) Liberation.
In the given arithmetic, Nathwani's path to victory would be difficult without cross-voting from members of the opposing camp.
The elections have been necessitated by two vacancies. One seat fell vacant following the demise of JMM founder and veteran tribal leader Shibu Soren, while the second vacancy will arise after the completion of BJP leader Deepak Prakash's term on June 21.
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