NDA-Backed Independent Parimal Nathwani Wins Rajya Sabha Seat from Jharkhand Amid Cross-Voting
Ranchi: In a significant political development marked by cross-voting, NDA-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani on Thursday secured one of the two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand, defeating Congress nominee Pranav Jha. The second seat was won by ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baidyanath Ram.
According to official results, Nathwani garnered 28 votes, while Jha managed to secure 20 votes. Ram emerged victorious with 30 votes. The election also witnessed three invalid votes, including two cast by BJP legislators and one by a Congress MLA.
Nathwani’s victory has drawn attention as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has only 24 MLAs in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly—four short of the 28 first-preference votes required to win a Rajya Sabha seat. The ruling INDIA bloc, comprising the JMM, Congress and their allies, commands a strength of 56 legislators in the House.
The outcome indicates that Nathwani received support from legislators outside the NDA fold, highlighting instances of cross-voting during the election. All 81 MLAs participated in the voting process held on the Assembly premises.
With this win, Nathwani has achieved a historic fourth term in the Rajya Sabha. He previously represented Jharkhand as an Independent member for two consecutive terms from 2008 to 2020 before serving as a Rajya Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh from 2020 onwards.
Known as one of the longest-serving Independent members in the Upper House, Nathwani’s latest victory marks his return to Jharkhand, a state he has often referred to as his “karmabhoomi”.
Expressing gratitude after the result, Nathwani described the victory as an emotional moment, noting that it would be his third term representing Jharkhand in Parliament. In a post on X, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP leaders, NDA allies, and all MLAs who supported his candidature.
In a separate statement, Nathwani also acknowledged the support of BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Jharkhand BJP President Aditya Sahu, BJP Legislature Party leader Babulal Marandi, BJP Chief Whip Naveen Jaiswal and NDA legislators.
Outlining his commitment to the state, Nathwani said Jharkhand had become his karmabhoomi after spending more than a decade working there. He pledged to continue raising issues concerning the state’s development and welfare in the Rajya Sabha.
The results underscore the evolving political dynamics within the Jharkhand Assembly, with Nathwani’s victory emerging as one of the most notable outcomes of the Rajya Sabha elections due to the apparent cross-voting that helped secure his return to Parliament.
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