Cross voting helps BJP-backed Independent candidate in Jharkhand win Rajya Sabha polls

BJP-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani on Thursday (June 18, 2026) won one of the two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand, defeating Pranav Jha of the Congress. Baidyanath Ram of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha was elected to the other seat.

Sources said that Gujarat-based businessman Mr. Nathwani won the election after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) legislators cross voted. Mr. Ram got 30 votes, Mr. Nathawani got 28 votes and Mr. Jha only managed to get 20 votes. Three votes were declared invalid in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly.

Alliance numbers

The ruling INDIA bloc has 56 MLAs, including 34 legislators from the JMM, 16 from the Congress, four from the RJD and two from the CPI (ML) Liberation. The Opposition alliance in the State has a total of 24 legislators, comprising 21 MLAs from the BJP and one each from the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Additionally, the House has one Independent legislator – Jairam Mahto of Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha.

The RJD cross voting was in reaction to the Congress’s actions during the Bihar Rajya Sabha election on March 16, a source said. When the elections for the five Rajya Sabha seats were held in Patna, RJD candidate Amrendra Dhari Singh lost after three Congress MLAs did not turn up to vote. Due to this, even the NDA’s fifth candidate secured a victory. The Congress has six MLAs in Bihar.

“Tejashwi Yadav ji has taken revenge… Even the Left parties followed us because the RJD is the one that gives them proper respect, not the Congress party,” said a senior RJD leader on condition of anonymity.

Reacting to his victory, Mr. Nathwani — who has represented Jharkhand twice in the Rajya Sabha, posted a message on social media platform X. “Deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the fourth term as a Member of Rajya Sabha. This moment is filled with profound emotion as this will be my third term from Jharkhand, the very soil from where my Parliamentary journey began in 2008. It is a matter of immense pride and humility to return once again to my karmabhoomi.” He has also served in the Rajya Sabha representing the YSR Congress Party from Andhra Pradesh.

“Heartfelt appreciation to every member of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly who voted and supported throughout this journey. With renewed commitment and sincerity, every effort will continue to advance the interests and aspirations of Jharkhand and its people. Johar Jharkhand!” Mr. Nathwani wrote in the post.

Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi posted a message on X saying, “Heartfelt thanks to all the legislators committed to the NDA alliance and the development of the State, who have cast their votes in favour of Nathwani ji.”