Political Shock in Jharkhand: NDA's Parimal Nathwani Triumphs in Rajya Sabha Elections

In a stunning political twist, Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, backed by the NDA, won a Rajya Sabha seat in Jharkhand, defeating Congress's Pranav Jha. Despite the INDIA bloc's majority in the Assembly, internal divisions led to this unexpected outcome. Nathwani's victory, with 28 votes against Jha's 20, raises questions about the coalition's unity and strategy. This election has become a significant talking point in Jharkhand's political discourse, highlighting the complexities of alliance politics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 18, 2026, 22:20 IST

Unexpected Victory for Independent Candidate

Ranchi: In a surprising turn of events in Jharkhand's political landscape, Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, backed by the NDA, clinched a victory in the Rajya Sabha elections on Thursday, defying expectations.

Despite the INDIA coalition holding a strong majority in the Assembly, Nathwani managed to defeat Congress candidate Pranav Jha.

While the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) successfully elected its candidate Baidyanath Ram, the Congress faced an unexpected defeat as Jha failed to secure adequate backing from coalition partners, allowing the NDA to win one of the two available Rajya Sabha seats.

Final results showed Ram receiving 30 valid votes, while Nathwani garnered 28 votes, surpassing the required threshold despite the BJP-led NDA only having 24 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly. In contrast, Congress's Jha received just 20 votes.

The counting process revealed three invalid votes—two for Nathwani and one for Jha. Nevertheless, Nathwani maintained a significant lead and was declared the winner.

This outcome represents a considerable embarrassment for the INDIA bloc, which has 56 members in the Assembly and theoretically had enough strength to secure both Rajya Sabha seats.

The NDA, with only 24 legislators, was short of the 28 first-preference votes needed for a seat, making Nathwani's win possible through cross-voting and support from legislators outside the BJP-led alliance.

Following the announcement, Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju accused MLAs from alliance partners Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and CPI-ML of not supporting the Congress candidate. The RJD has four MLAs, while CPI-ML has two in the Assembly.

The election generated significant political interest, with both the ruling coalition and opposition engaging in extensive discussions and strategy sessions leading up to the vote.

The INDIA bloc had nominated two candidates—JMM's Baidyanath Ram and Congress's Jha—relying on their numerical advantage, while Nathwani ran as an Independent with NDA support.

Voting proceeded smoothly in the Assembly, with all 81 legislators participating. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, along with cabinet ministers and leaders from both sides, took part in the polling, with JMM leader Sudivya Kumar Sonu casting the final vote.

Expressing his gratitude after the win, Nathwani emphasized the significance of the mandate, noting that Jharkhand is where his parliamentary journey began.

"I am deeply thankful for the chance to serve a fourth term in the Rajya Sabha. This marks my third term from Jharkhand, the place where my parliamentary career started in 2008. It is a source of great pride and humility to return to my karmabhoomi," he shared on X.

Nathwani also thanked the legislators who supported him, pledging to continue working towards the development and aspirations of Jharkhand. "With renewed commitment and sincerity, I will strive to advance the interests and aspirations of Jharkhand and its people. Johar Jharkhand," he added.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey congratulated Nathwani on his victory, labeling the result a significant setback for the Mahagathbandhan, highlighting that the NDA-backed candidate received 28 votes compared to Congress's 20.

This outcome is regarded as one of the most significant political surprises in Jharkhand in recent years, revealing fractures within the INDIA bloc and raising concerns about coordination among its member parties despite their apparent numerical superiority in the Assembly.