As JMM hardens stance, Congress names observers for Rajya Sabha polls in Jharkhand

Key points

• Hours after JMM legislators demanded that the ruling party contest both the Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand, the Congress on Friday (June 5, 2026) named Bhupesh Baghel and Ajay Sharma as AICC observers for the polls in which it has named Pranav Jha as its nominee.
• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the proposal for the appointment of Mr. Baghel and Mr. Sharma as AICC observers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha Biennial Elections in Jharkhand with immediate effect, a party statement said.
• The political atmosphere in Jharkhand intensified ahead of the June 18 Rajya Sabha elections, with the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha legislators on Friday (June 5, 2026) demanding that the party contest both seats going to polls.
• The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, was held a day after the Congress announced senior party functionary Pranav Jha as its candidate for one of the two Rajya Sabha seats...