Jharkhand Rajya Sabha polls: Nathwani joins race as NDA-backed Independent
Synopsis
Parimal Nathwani's entry as an NDA-backed Independent in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha polls is a tactical admission: BJP doesn't have the numbers alone. With the ruling JMM-Congress alliance crying horse-trading and a three-way race now set, the contest for the second seat has become the real test of Jharkhand's fractured legislative arithmetic.
Key Takeaways
Parimal Nathwani filed his nomination on 8 June for two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand as an NDA-backed Independent.
BJP acknowledged it lacks sufficient numbers for a standalone Rajya Sabha win; backing Nathwani is part of a broader NDA strategy, per Babulal Marandi .
Nathwani has previously served two terms as a Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand.
The ruling JMM has nominated Baijnath Ram ; Congress has fielded Pranav Jha — making it a three-candidate contest for two seats.
JMM minister Sudivya Kumar and Congress in-charge K.
Raju alleged the BJP is attempting horse-trading through the election process.
Industrialist Parimal Nathwani filed his nomination on Monday, 8 June for the biennial elections to two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand, entering the contest as an Independent candidate with the full backing of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislators. His entry converts what was a straight two-seat contest into a three-way battle for the Upper House.
NDA Strategy Behind the Independent Tag
Ahead of filing his papers, Nathwani called on BJP legislators and allied-party members, including a visit to the Ranchi residence of BJP MLA Navin Jaiswal, where NDA leaders discussed election strategy and support. Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, confirmed the arrangement, acknowledging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not have adequate numbers on its own to secure a Rajya Sabha seat. Backing Nathwani as an Independent, Marandi said, is part of a broader electoral strategy. He described Nathwani as a 'tested' candidate who has previously represented Jharkhand in the Upper House.
Nathwani's Track Record and Confidence
Nathwani has served two terms as a Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand and cited his development work during those tenures as the basis for seeking legislator support. Speaking to reporters, he declined to discuss numbers but left little doubt about his expectations. 'I am an old Jharkhandi and people here have seen my work. I am confident of winning the election and getting another opportunity to serve the state,' he said. His pitch rests on incumbency of goodwill rather than party machinery.
Ruling Alliance Alleges Horse-Trading
Leaders of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance were quick to push back. JMM leader and state minister Sudivya Kumar alleged that the BJP was attempting to indulge in horse-trading of MLAs through the Rajya Sabha election process. Congress in-charge of Jharkhand, K. Raju, echoed the charge, claiming the BJP was seeking to influence the democratic process. Neither official offered specific evidence for the allegations, and the BJP has not formally responded to the claims.
The Full Candidate List and What Comes Next
Monday, 8 June was the last day for filing nominations. The Indian National Congress (Congress) has fielded Pranav Jha, while the JMM has nominated Baijnath Ram. With Nathwani now in the contest, the arithmetic of the Jharkhand Assembly becomes the decisive factor. The ruling alliance holds a comfortable majority in the state House, making the second seat the real battleground. All eyes will now be on whether NDA's cross-party consolidation can translate into enough first-preference votes to get Nathwani over the line.
Point of View
But the charge carries weight only if MLAs actually switch — something the ruling alliance's comfortable majority makes difficult. The real story here is structural: the BJP is using Rajya Sabha elections as a low-cost mechanism to retain Upper House presence in states where it has lost assembly ground, a pattern seen in other opposition-governed states as well.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Parimal Nathwani and why is he contesting the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election?
Parimal Nathwani is an industrialist who has previously served two terms as a Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand. He is contesting as an Independent candidate backed by NDA legislators because the BJP does not have sufficient numbers in the Jharkhand Assembly to secure a seat on its own.
How many candidates are contesting the two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand?
Three candidates are in the fray for two seats: Parimal Nathwani (NDA-backed Independent), Baijnath Ram (JMM nominee), and Pranav Jha (Congress nominee). Monday, 8 June was the last day for filing nominations.
Why did BJP back an Independent instead of fielding its own candidate?
BJP Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi stated that the party does not have adequate numbers in the Jharkhand Assembly to secure a Rajya Sabha seat independently. Backing Nathwani as a tested Independent is part of a broader NDA consolidation strategy.
What allegations has the ruling alliance made against the BJP?
JMM leader and state minister Sudivya Kumar alleged that the BJP is attempting horse-trading of MLAs through the Rajya Sabha election. Congress in-charge K. Raju made similar claims, saying the BJP is seeking to influence the democratic process. Neither provided specific evidence.
What is the significance of Nathwani's entry into the contest?
His entry turns a straightforward two-seat race into a three-way contest, making the legislative arithmetic of the Jharkhand Assembly the decisive factor. The ruling JMM-Congress alliance holds a majority, making the second seat the key battleground.
