Congress' Rajya Sabha Pick In Jharkhand Sparks Row; JMM Mulls Contest On Both Seats
Congress' Rajya Sabha Pick In Jharkhand Sparks Row; JMM Mulls Contest On Both Seats Published By, Last Updated: June 06, 2026, 07:02 IST The Congress
Congress' Rajya Sabha Pick In Jharkhand Sparks Row; JMM Mulls Contest On Both Seats Published By, Last Updated: June 06, 2026, 07:02 IST The Congress maintained that there was no threat to alliance unity and expressed confidence that both INDIA bloc-backed candidates would emerge victorious. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren held a meeting of JMM legislators in Ranchi on Friday to discuss the Rajya Sabha elections. The Congress’s decision to nominate senior party functionary Pranav Jha for a Rajya Sabha seat from Jharkhand has triggered unease within the ruling alliance, with leaders of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) demanding that the party contest both seats going to polls in the state. The development comes a day after the Congress announced Jha’s candidature for one of the two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand. On Friday, JMM leaders indicated that the party was considering fielding candidates on both seats, signalling discontent over the Congress’s unilateral announcement. JMM Leaders Bat For Both Seats Ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, Chief Minister Hemant Soren met JMM legislators and senior party leaders in Ranchi on Friday to discuss the party’s strategy.
After the meeting, state minorities welfare and water resources minister Hafizul Hassan said the JMM would contest both seats. “JMM will finalise the candidates’ names soon," he told reporters. Drinking water and sanitation minister Yogendra Yadav said, “The JMM will field its candidates for both the Rajya Sabha seats. Party workers and leaders have expressed not only their willingness, but also a consensus to field our own candidates in both seats. The party chief will finalise the candidates’ names for both seats." The developments assume significance as JMM leaders had earlier indicated that a collective decision on the Rajya Sabha elections would be taken after consultations within the alliance. Congress Seeks To Downplay Differences The Congress, however, maintained that there was no threat to alliance unity and expressed confidence that both INDIA bloc-backed candidates would emerge victorious. Speaking to reporters in Ranchi alongside Jha, Jharkhand Congress in-charge K Raju said, “The alliance has the support of 56 legislators in the assembly, which is enough for both candidates to win.
The issue was discussed in the PAC meeting, where all of us decided to work with our allies and ensure both candidates win." On the JMM’s position, he added, “The legislative party will meet tonight. After that, we will try to meet the Chief Minister alongwith our MLAs and chalk out a victory plan for both candidates." JMM Flags Unilateral Decision The JMM underlined that it was hurt by the Congress leadership’s decision to announce a candidate without broader consultations and urged Hemant Soren to take a call on the party’s future course. “The alliance was led by our chief minister in both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in 2024. People reposed faith on leadership of Hemant Soren. Therefore, even the Rajya Sabha election would be held under his leadership. Today, all party leaders apprised him of the sentiments of the party workers who want party candidates for both seats. We have authorised the president to take all factors into account and decide accordingly," JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya told reporters after a meeting of the party’s core committee.
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