Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Jun 18: NDA-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani secured a Rajya Sabha berth from Jharkhand on Thursday after cross-voting in the election for two Upper House seats, while ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baidyanath Ram won the second seat.
According to election officials, Nathwani polled 28 votes and defeated Congress candidate Pranav Jha, who secured 20 votes. Baidyanath Ram emerged victorious with 30 votes.
The election witnessed cross-voting, with three votes being declared invalid. Officials said two invalid votes were cast by BJP legislators and one by a Congress MLA.
The outcome was significant as the BJP-led NDA, with only 24 MLAs in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, was four votes short of the 28 first-preference votes required to win a Rajya Sabha seat. In contrast, the ruling INDIA bloc, comprising the JMM, Congress and allies, commands 56 members in the House.
Nathwani's victory indicated cross-voting in his favour, enabling him to overcome the numerical disadvantage faced by the NDA.
Voting for the two Rajya Sabha seats concluded on Thursday, with all 81 MLAs exercising their franchise at the polling station set up on the Assembly premises.
With the latest victory, Nathwani has been elected to the Rajya Sabha for a historic fourth term. He previously represented Jharkhand as an Independent member for two consecutive terms between 2008 and 2020 and is regarded as one of the longest-serving Independent members in the history of the Upper House. He later represented Andhra Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha from 2020 before returning to Jharkhand through the current election.
Reacting to his victory, Nathwani expressed gratitude to the legislators who supported him and described the occasion as an emotional moment, noting that it marked his third term from Jharkhand, the state from where his parliamentary journey began in 2008.
Calling Jharkhand his "karmabhoomi", he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP leaders and NDA allies for their support.
In a statement, Nathwani also expressed gratitude to BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Jharkhand BJP President Aditya Sahu, BJP Legislature Party leader Babulal Marandi, BJP Chief Whip Naveen Jaiswal and all BJP and NDA legislators who backed his candidature.
Outlining his priorities, Nathwani said he would focus on generating sustainable livelihood opportunities in rural areas through skill development programmes and the revival of cottage industries. He added that strengthening infrastructure, healthcare facilities and education in rural Jharkhand would remain among his key objectives during his tenure in the Rajya Sabha.