 registered a significant political victory in Jharkhand after Independent candidate Parimal){kind=link}
The BJP-led NDA secured a major political win in Jharkhand after its backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani won a Rajya Sabha seat
June 18, 2026: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registered a significant political victory in Jharkhand after Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, backed by the NDA, won a Rajya Sabha seat despite the ruling INDIA bloc enjoying a numerical advantage in the state assembly. While Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baidyanath Ram also secured a seat, Congress nominee Pranav Jha was defeated, dealing a setback to the ruling alliance led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
In the election for two Rajya Sabha seats, Nathwani secured 28 votes, while Baidyanath Ram received 31 votes. Congress candidate Pranav Jha managed only 19 votes and was eliminated from the contest. Three votes were declared invalid. The outcome has sparked speculation about possible cross-voting, as the NDA was believed to have only 24 votes in the 81-member assembly, indicating support from legislators outside its camp.
The result has intensified political debate over the unity of the INDIA bloc government in Jharkhand. BJP leaders, including Nishikant Dubey and Sita Soren, hailed Nathwani’s victory as a major achievement for the NDA. Former Chief Minister Champai Soren also welcomed the result, saying Nathwani’s presence in the Rajya Sabha would strengthen efforts to bring central welfare schemes to the state.