Congress Accuses RJD and CPI(ML) of Betrayal After Rajya Sabha Loss

In a closely watched Rajya Sabha election in Jharkhand, NDA-backed independent candidate Parimal Nathwani emerged victorious, defeating Congress nominee Pranav Jha. Nathwani secured one of the two seats, while the second went to Baidyanath Ram of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

Following the defeat of its candidate, Congress has raised allegations of cross-voting and targeted its allies, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) [CPI(ML)]. Congress leader Rajesh Thakur expressed disappointment, stating, "Betrayal happens where there’s trust." Thakur revealed that Congress had expected 26 votes but received only 21, with one vote declared invalid. The party’s coalition included 16 Congress votes, 4 JMM votes, 4 RJD votes, and 2 CPI(ML) votes.

Thakur further speculated that the RJD and CPI(ML) votes might not have been cast in Congress’s favor, emphasizing the need for introspection within the alliance. Nathwani received 28 votes, while Congress’s Pranav Jha secured 20. JMM’s Baidyanath Ram topped the tally with 30 votes. Three votes, including one from a Congress legislator, were invalidated during the election.

The 81-member Jharkhand Assembly posed a challenging arithmetic for the BJP-led NDA, which had 24 legislators—four short of the 28 first-preference votes required for victory. Nathwani’s win, however, highlighted cross-voting in his favor. This marks Nathwani’s fourth term in the Rajya Sabha, having previously represented Jharkhand twice as an independent (2008–2020) and Andhra Pradesh in 2020.

Celebrating his victory, Nathwani expressed gratitude on social media, calling Jharkhand his "karmabhoomi" and reflecting on his parliamentary journey that began there in 2008. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, the BJP leadership, NDA allies, and supporting legislators. Nathwani reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Jharkhand in his new term.