Rajya Sabha Election Results Updates: Parimal Nathwani wins Jharkhand thriller, JMM bags one seat

Jharkhand BJP president and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi welcomed the victory of NDA-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani in the Rajya Sabha election. Marandi congratulated Nathwani on his win and also extended his appreciation to NDA leaders, legislators and all 81 members of the Jharkhand Assembly for their participation in the democratic process.

After securing victory in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election, Parimal Nathwani expressed gratitude to the BJP-led NDA and the MLAs who supported him. In a post on X, Nathwani said he was honoured to begin his fourth term in the Rajya Sabha and his third term representing Jharkhand, calling the state his "karmabhoomi" where his parliamentary journey began in 2008. 

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP leaders for their support, and pledged to continue working for the interests and aspirations of Jharkhand and its people with renewed commitment. He concluded his message with "Johar Jharkhand."

JMM candidate Baidyanath Ram was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand. He got 30 votes. The second seat was won by BJP-supported Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani. 

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has congratulated NDA-backed candidate Parimal Nathwani on his victory in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election. In a post on X, Dubey claimed that Nathwani secured 28 votes, while the Congress candidate managed only 20 votes, and described the result as a major setback for the Mahagathbandhan (I.N.D.I.A bloc).

According to sources, BJP-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani received 30 votes in the Rajya Sabha election. However, two of those votes were declared invalid, taking his effective tally to 28 votes, exactly the number required to secure victory.

State Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore has confirmed that three votes have been declared invalid during the counting process for the Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand. The development could have a bearing on the final outcome as the counting of votes is underway. 

Following the completion of voting by all 81 MLAs in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha elections, political rhetoric has intensified. State Health Minister Irfan Ansari reportedly claimed that the INDIA bloc is set for a decisive victory under Chief Minister Hemant Soren's leadership and could garner as many as 60 votes in its favour. Ansari asserted that the ruling alliance is on course to win both Rajya Sabha seats and also accused the BJP of engaging in attempts to engineer defections and political poaching.

The I.N.D.I.A bloc holds a comfortable majority in the Jharkhand Assembly with 56 MLAs. This includes 34 legislators from the JMM, 16 from the Congress, four from the RJD and two from the CPI(ML) Liberation. The NDA has 24 MLAs in the 81-member House, comprising 21 BJP legislators and one MLA each from the LJP (Ram Vilas), All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) Party and Janata Dal (United). The Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) also has one MLA in the Assembly.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Manoj Pandey said the ruling alliance was confident of winning both Rajya Sabha seats in the state and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of promoting "money-driven politics," alleging that a "money-minded industrialist from Gujarat" would use money to garner support in the election. For the two Rajya Sabha seats, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)'s Baidyanath Ram, Congress candidate Pranav Jha, and Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani are in the fray. The NDA is supporting independent candidate Nathwani in the election.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and former Chief Minister Champai Soren expressed confidence that National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-supported independent candidate Parimal Nathwani would win with a majority. Speaking to reporters, Soren said, "We (NDA-supported Parimal Nathwani) will certainly win." The BJP-NDA MLAs reached Ranchi for the State Assembly as the election for two Rajya Sabha seats in the state is underway. NDA is supporting independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, while JMM and Congress have fielded Baidyanath Ram and Pranab Jha, respectively.

State Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey expressed confidence ahead of the Rajya Sabha election results, saying the ruling I.N.D.I.A bloc was heading to the Assembly united. Taking a swipe at alleged horse-trading in politics, she said that while legislators and even political parties were being "bought and sold" in other parts of the country, Jharkhand would uphold its self-respect, dignity and democratic values.

Earlier in the day, Baidyanath Ram arrived at the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly in Ranchi to cast his vote and said the I.N.D.I.A bloc had the numbers required to secure both seats. "I am very confident, 100 per cent. We will win... Both candidates of the INDIA bloc are winning. I will get 30 votes... Our victory is certain and we will win both seats. They (NDA) can make all claims but they do not have the number," Ram told reporters.

Ahead of the polling, the I.N.D.I.A bloc had organised a mock voting exercise at Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence on Tuesday night. The drill was aimed at familiarising newly elected legislators with the Rajya Sabha voting process and minimising the chances of invalid votes.

Ahead of polling, both the NDA and the INDIA bloc took steps to prevent any possibility of cross-voting. NDA legislators were housed at a Ranchi hotel, while the ruling alliance held a series of meetings to keep its flock together.

JMM candidate Baidyanath Ram is widely expected to secure victory comfortably, backed by the party's 34 MLAs in the Assembly. Attention is largely focused on the race for the second seat, where Congress nominee Pranav Jha faces NDA-backed Parimal Nathwani.

The BJP-led NDA has 24 MLAs in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, falling short of the 28 first-preference votes required to guarantee a Rajya Sabha seat. In contrast, the ruling INDIA bloc commands the support of 56 legislators, giving it a significant edge in the contest.

RJD MLA Suresh Paswan asserted that the I.N.D.I.A bloc candidates are set to emerge victorious in the election. Echoing the sentiment, Congress minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey said the alliance has adequate numbers to secure both Rajya Sabha seats.

Parimal Nathwani expressed confidence about his prospects in the election, asserting that he enjoys support cutting across party lines. He said the outcome would become clear once the counting process is completed later in the evening.

BJP chief whip Naveen Jaiswal claimed that all 24 NDA legislators voted in favour of the alliance-backed candidate Parimal Nathwani. He said the NDA's entire strength, including MLAs from its allies, stood firmly behind Nathwani's candidature.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren arrived at the Assembly premises and exercised his franchise in the Rajya Sabha election. Senior leaders from both the ruling alliance and the opposition were present as polling progressed throughout the day.

NDA legislators had reached the Jharkhand Assembly in a bus directly from the Ranchi hotel where they had been camped ahead of the polling. Congress MLAs also arrived together for the voting.

Three candidates are in the fray for the Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand -- BJP-backed Independent nominee Parimal Nathwani, JMM's Baidyanath Ram and Congress candidate Pranav Jha. While the ruling I.N.D.I.A bloc enjoys a numerical advantage in the Assembly, the battle for the second seat remains closely watched.

Voting for the two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand has concluded. Three candidates are in the contest -- BJP-backed Independent Parimal Nathwani, JMM nominee Baidyanath Ram and Congress candidate Pranav Jha. The counting of votes is scheduled to begin at 5 pm, with the results expected later in the evening.