NDA-backed Parimal Nathwani wins Rajya Sabha seat in Jharkhand amid cross-voting
NDA-backed independent candidate Parimal Nathwani won a Rajya Sabha seat from Jharkhand, defeating Congress nominee Pranav Jha
Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, backed by the NDA, secured one of Jharkhand’s two Rajya Sabha seats on Thursday (June 18) , overcoming Congress nominee Pranav Jha in an election marked by cross-voting, according to an official.
Have you read our report about what is happening in Jharkhand? If not, here it is.
The second seat went to Baidyanath Ram of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
Also Read: EC announces Rajya Sabha polls for 24 seats on June 18
Nathwani wins amid cross-voting
Nathwani was declared elected after receiving 28 votes, while Jha managed to secure 20 votes, the official said.
Ram garnered 30 votes in the contest. Three ballots were rejected as invalid, including two cast by BJP legislators and one by a Congress member, the official added.
Also Read: Rajya Sabha polls: Cross-voting concerns put Congress on edge in MP, Jharkhand
Numbers in the Assembly
The BJP-led NDA has 24 MLAs, four short of the minimum of 28 first-preference votes required in the 81-member assembly to secure a berth in the Upper House of Parliament.
The ruling INDIA bloc, including the JMM and the Congress, has 56 members in the House.
(With agency inputs)