Rajya Sabha Polls: Congress Eyes Shifting MLAs From MP, Jharkhand As Cross-Voting Shadow Looms Large
Rajya Sabha Polls: Congress Eyes Shifting MLAs From MP, Jharkhand As Cross-Voting Shadow Looms Large Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 08:58 IST Fearing
Rajya Sabha Polls: Congress Eyes Shifting MLAs From MP, Jharkhand As Cross-Voting Shadow Looms Large Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 08:58 IST Fearing cross-voting in Rajya Sabha polls, Congress is mulling shifting MLAs from Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand to Karnataka or Telangana as contests tighten. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and others pose for photographs during the filing of the nomination papers (Photo: PTI) With just days to go for the June 18 Rajya Sabha elections, political temperatures have risen sharply in both Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, with the Congress considering moving its legislators to party-ruled states amid fears of cross-voting and alleged attempts by rivals to poach MLAs. The developments come after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backed surprise candidates in contests that were earlier expected to be straightforward. In Madhya Pradesh, the Congress is weighing a proposal to move its MLAs out of the state ahead of voting for three Rajya Sabha seats. According to news agency PTI, the proposal was discussed during a late-night meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) at the residence of Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar. Party legislators were consulted on whether they should be moved to another state until polling day in a bid to keep the flock together and prevent any possibility of cross-voting.
Sources told PTI that the suggestion came after consultations with the Congress central leadership. Around 60 MLAs attended the meeting, while veteran leader Kamal Nath joined virtually. According to party sources, Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru is among the destinations under consideration, though a final decision is yet to be taken. BJP’S THIRD CANDIDATE CHANGES EQUATION The Congress’s concern stems from the BJP’s decision to field a third Rajya Sabha candidate, Mahesh Kewat, chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Fishermen Welfare Board. While BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh and state unit secretary Rajneesh Agrawal had filed nominations earlier, Kewat entered the contest on the final day of nominations, turning the third seat into a direct contest. The Congress has nominated former MP Meenakshi Natarajan and had initially appeared comfortably placed to secure one of the three seats. However, Kewat’s entry has injected uncertainty into the race and intensified concerns over possible defections or cross-voting. The party’s caution is also shaped by memories of the 2020 political crisis, when resignations by a group of Congress MLAs led by Jyotiraditya Scindia toppled the Kamal Nath government and paved the way for the BJP’s return to power in the state. The BJP, meanwhile, remains confident.
Based on the current Assembly arithmetic, it is assured of two Rajya Sabha seats and is seeking additional votes to push its third candidate across the line. The contest has become significantly more interesting because of the uncertainties surrounding some Congress members and independent support. JHARKHAND CONGRESS PLANS TELANGANA MOVE A similar strategy is being contemplated in Jharkhand, where the Congress is preparing to send all its 16 MLAs to Telangana amid fears of cross-voting, News18’s sister publication News18 Hindi reported. Sources told the channel that Congress legislators could remain in Telangana until voting takes place on June 18. While there has been no official confirmation from the party, preparations are reportedly underway to keep all legislators together at a resort and prevent any last-minute political surprises. Political observers view the move as a classic case of “resort politics", reflecting concerns within the opposition camp about possible attempts to influence legislators before polling day. According to the report, Congress does not want to take any chances and is focused on ensuring unity within its legislative ranks. A TIGHTER CONTEST THAN EXPECTED Jharkhand’s Rajya Sabha election has also become more competitive after the BJP backed independent candidate Parimal Nathwani for the second seat.
The INDIA bloc has 56 MLAs in the Assembly, while each candidate requires 28 first-preference votes for victory. The contest pits Congress nominee Pranav Jha against Nathwani, a former two-term Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand who is currently a member of the Upper House from Andhra Pradesh. Nathwani requires a handful of cross-votes to emerge victorious, making every vote crucial. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: June 09, 2026, 08:58 IST News india Rajya Sabha Polls: Congress Eyes Shifting MLAs From MP, Jharkhand As Cross-Voting Shadow Looms Large Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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