Jharkhand Rajya Sabha Race: Why JMM's 6 Surplus Votes Could Prove Crucial

Published 8 June 2026 · politics

Jharkhand Rajya Sabha Race: Why JMM's 6 Surplus Votes Could Prove Crucial Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 09:45 IST As Rajya Sabha nominations

Jharkhand Rajya Sabha Race: Why JMM's 6 Surplus Votes Could Prove Crucial Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 09:45 IST As Rajya Sabha nominations close in Jharkhand, attention centres on JMM's surplus votes amid speculation over Parimal Nathwani's potential support base. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren (Photo: PTI) With the seat-sharing dispute between the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress apparently resolved, political attention in Jharkhand has now shifted to a new question ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections – the fate of six surplus votes held by the JMM-led alliance. The INDIA bloc has the numbers to comfortably secure both Rajya Sabha seats going to polls on June 18. The alliance commands 56 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly, comprising 34 from the JMM, 16 from the Congress, four from the RJD and two from CPI(ML) Liberation. With 28 first-preference votes required to elect a candidate, the bloc has exactly the numbers needed to win both seats. However, as reported by The Economic Times, the key political focus has now moved to the six votes that remain after the JMM secures the election of its candidate, Baidyanath Ram. The development comes after days of uncertainty within the ruling alliance. The Congress had announced AICC secretary Pranav Jha as its candidate, while the JMM had initially signalled that it wanted to contest both seats.

JMM legislators had authorised Chief Minister Hemant Soren to take a final decision, and several leaders publicly argued that the state’s largest party had a natural claim over both seats. The differences, however, were ironed out following discussions between Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress observers Bhupesh Baghel and Ajay Sharma. The Congress has fielded Pranav Jha, while the JMM has nominated former minister Baidyanath Ram. THE BATTLE FOR SIX EXTRA VOTES According to The Economic Times, the JMM is confident of ensuring the victory of its candidate with 28 of its 34 votes. The remaining six votes have now become the centre of political calculations. The report said the JMM has remained non-committal to the Congress regarding the deployment of those surplus votes, even as the alliance publicly maintains that both candidates will win. The issue has gained significance because of the possible entry of a third candidate into the contest. The report mentioned that industrialist and sitting Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani’s meeting with Chief Minister Hemant Soren has added a fresh twist to the election. The meeting has fuelled speculation that Nathwani could potentially receive support from the remaining six JMM votes. Nathwani has represented Jharkhand in the Rajya Sabha in the past and had received JMM backing during earlier elections. THIRD-CANDIDATE SPECULATION INTENSIFIES The contest became more intriguing after multiple prominent figures purchased nomination forms.