Ranchi, June 18 (IANS) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baijnath Ram and NDA-backed Independent nominee Parimal Nathwani secured victory in the Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand on Thursday, while Congress-supported candidate Pranav Jha was defeated.

Although the results have not yet been formally announced, Nathwani shared news of his victory on social media and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the NDA and BJP leadership.

According to the vote count, JMM’s Baijnath Ram received 31 votes, while BJP-backed Parimal Nathwani secured 28 votes. Two votes cast in his favour were declared invalid. Congress candidate Jha received 21 votes, with one of his votes also cancelled.

With this, both the INDIA bloc and NDA-backed candidates have won one seat each in the Rajya Sabha elections from the state.

“Deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the fourth term as the 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,” Nathwani said in a post on X.

“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!”

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey congratulated Nathwani on his victory, saying: “Congratulations to NDA-supported Rajya Sabha candidate from Jharkhand, Shri Parimal Nathwani ji, on his victory; he received a total of 28 votes, while the @INCIndia candidate received only 20; the Mahagathbandhan suffered a severe defeat @mpparimal”

Earlier, voting took place in the Assembly complex, where all 81 MLAs exercised their franchise. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, along with leaders from both the ruling and opposition sides, cast their votes. The final vote of the day was cast by JMM leader and minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu.

Following peaceful polling, counting began in the evening, and the results were declared thereafter.

The Rajya Sabha election had generated considerable political interest, with the INDIA bloc fielding JMM’s Baijnath Ram and Congress’s Jha, while Nathwani contested as an NDA-backed Independent candidate.

Both sides had held several meetings and strategic exercises ahead of the polls to ensure unity among their legislators.

–IANS

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