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Congress candidate Pranav Jha’s defeat triggered speculation of cross-voting by some RJD and Left legislators, helping Nathwani overcome the NDA’s numerical disadvantage.
Following his victory, Parimal Nathwani said it was a matter of “immense pride and humility” to return to his “karmabhoomi” once again. (Photo: X)
NDA-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani won a Rajya Sabha seat from Jharkhand on Wednesday despite the NDA lacking the numbers in the 81-member Assembly, with suspected cross-voting by allies of the INDIA bloc dealing a blow to Congress candidate Pranav Jha.
While Nathwani secured victory, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baidyanath Ram was set to win the other vacant seat.
Following his victory, Parimal Nathwani said it was a matter of “immense pride and humility” to return to his “karmabhoomi” once again.
In a post on X, Nathwani said the occasion carried special significance as it marked his third term in the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand, the state from which his parliamentary journey began in 2008.
“This moment is filled with profound emotion as this will be my third term from Jharkhand, the very soil from where my parliamentary journey began in 2008,” he wrote.
Nathwani also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin and the BJP-led NDA for their support. He further thanked members of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly who backed his candidature.
“Heartfelt appreciation to every member of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly who voted and supported me throughout this journey. With renewed commitment and sincerity, every effort will continue to advance the interests and aspirations of Jharkhand and its people,” he said.
Cross-Voting Suspected In INDIA Bloc
A candidate required at least 28 first-preference votes to secure an election.
Nathwani secured 32 votes, though two were declared invalid. With the NDA having only 28 MLAs in the Assembly, the result indicated that at least four legislators from outside the alliance had cross-voted in his favour.
The INDIA bloc commands 56 MLAs in the Jharkhand Assembly, compared with 24 legislators belonging to the BJP-led NDA. Nathwani’s victory, therefore, hinged on support from outside the NDA fold.
The ruling alliance comprises 34 JMM MLAs, 16 Congress legislators, four members of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and two MLAs from the CPI(ML) Liberation.
The NDA has 24 MLAs — 21 from the BJP and one each from the JD(U), AJSU Party and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). The Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha has one MLA.
Congress candidate Pranav Jha’s defeat triggered speculation of cross-voting by some RJD and Left legislators, helping Nathwani overcome the NDA’s numerical disadvantage.
Who Is Parimal Nathwani?
Parimal Nathwani is a prominent industrialist who first entered the Rajya Sabha in 2008 as an Independent candidate from Jharkhand. He retained the seat in 2014, winning a second term.
In March 2020, Nathwani joined the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) and was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
Ranchi, India, India
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