Congress Suffers Blow in Jharkhand Rajya Sabha Polls as Cross-Voting Hands NDA-Backed Independent Crucial Win

The Congress faced a major political setback in Jharkhand on Thursday after internal fractures within the INDIA bloc led to the loss of a key Rajya Sabha seat. Cross-voting by allies, including the RJD and CPI (ML), altered the outcome of a closely watched election, allowing an NDA-backed Independent candidate to secure victory.

In the final tally, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) nominee and former minister Baidyanath Ram successfully won his seat. However, the second seat went to Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, who is backed by the NDA, leaving the Congress unable to convert its electoral strength despite fielding Pranav Jha.

Cross-Voting Alters Tight Electoral Contest

The election required a minimum of 28 first-preference votes in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly. While JMM’s Baidyanath Ram reportedly secured around 30 votes, Nathwani managed to reach the winning mark of 28, largely due to cross-voting within INDIA bloc ranks.

According to political sources, several MLAs from the RJD and CPI (ML) deviated from the alliance line, with reports indicating that multiple legislators backed Nathwani instead of the Congress-supported candidate.

Congress Reacts, Blames Alliance Partners

Following the results, Congress leaders expressed strong dissatisfaction over the conduct of alliance partners. AICC in-charge for Jharkhand K Raju alleged that coordination failures and cross-voting from RJD and CPI (ML) directly impacted the party’s performance.

He suggested that had the INDIA bloc voted cohesively, the Congress-backed candidate could have secured the seat, and the outcome would likely have been different.

RJD and CPI (ML) Under Scrutiny

Congress MLA Deepika Pandey Singh also questioned the role of alliance partners, holding RJD and CPI (ML) responsible for the defeat. She called for clarity from within the coalition, stating that parties claiming unity under the INDIA bloc must also ensure discipline during crucial votes.

Tensions Rise Within INDIA Bloc in Jharkhand

The developments have triggered fresh concerns over internal coordination within the INDIA alliance in Jharkhand. Political observers note that visible cracks during high-stakes elections could weaken the bloc’s future strategy and electoral cohesion in the state.