Ranchi, June 8 (IANS) Candidates of the ruling INDIA bloc on Monday filed their nominations for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand, scheduled to be held on June 18.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) nominee Baijnath Ram and Congress candidate Pranav Jha reached the Assembly along with top alliance leaders and MLAs to submit their nomination papers.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren was present on the occasion, along with Congress central observer and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, several ministers of the state government, senior Congress leaders, and MLAs of the RJD. The alliance put up a show of unity during the filing, reiterating its claim of winning both seats.

Before filing the nominations, all alliance leaders and MLAs arrived at the Assembly together. Political observers view this as a show of strength and an attempt to send a message of unity among legislators ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections.

In recent days, there had been discussions and differences within the ruling alliance over the selection of candidates. After the Congress announced its nominee, some JMM leaders had asserted the party’s claim on both seats. However, following talks at the top level, the alliance adopted a joint strategy and reached a consensus on the candidates from both parties.

At a meeting of alliance MLAs held at the Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday, it was decided to extend joint support to Baijnath Ram and Jha. After the meeting, alliance leaders had claimed they had sufficient numbers to ensure victory in both seats.

Leaders of the JMM and Congress have said that all MLAs of the alliance are united and there is no apprehension of cross-voting in the election.

Meanwhile, BJP-backed candidate Parimal Nathwani on Monday also reached the Assembly along with BJP and allied MLAs to file his nomination.

Polling for both Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand will be held on June 18, and the results will be declared the same day after the counting of votes.

–IANS

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