The BJP-led NDA has scored a political surprise in Jharkhand, with independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, backed by the BJP, winning a Rajya Sabha seat despite the ruling INDIA bloc commanding a numerical majority in the state assembly. Nathwani secured 28 votes—exactly the threshold needed—while JMM’s Baidyanath Ram won the second seat with 31 votes. Congress nominee Pranav Jha lost with just 19 votes.
The result has ignited speculation about cross-voting within the Hemant Soren-led coalition. The NDA was estimated to have only 24 votes in the 81-member Assembly, yet Nathwani’s 28-vote tally suggests at least four legislators may have defied their alliance’s official line. The ruling INDIA bloc comprises 34 JMM MLAs, 16 Congress, 4 RJD, and 2 CPI(ML) members, while BJP holds 21 MLAs and AJSU has 1.
Three votes were declared invalid in the election for two Rajya Sabha seats. Political observers view this as a setback for the INDIA bloc and a potential indicator of coalition fragility, with speculation that the outcome could have wider implications for the ruling alliance’s stability.
NDA leaders quickly hailed the result as a symbolic breakthrough. BJP MP Nishikant Dubeycongratulated Nathwani, calling it a “clear defeat for the opposition alliance”. BJP leader Sita Soren and former Chief Minister Champai Soren also extended congratulations, with Champai Soren describing it as a “major achievement” that would strengthen central welfare scheme implementation in Jharkhand.
The Congress nominee’s defeat, despite the INDIA bloc’s assembly advantage, marks a symbolic NDA victory in an opposition-governed state and raises fresh questions about coalition cohesion.
