In blow to Congress, Jharkhand cross-voting hands NDA-backed Parimal Nathwani Rajya Sabha seat
RANCHI/AIZAWL: NDA-backed Independent Parimal Nathwani crushed Congr-ess’s hopes of a Rajya Sabha berth from Jharkhand, spr-inging a surprise in Thursd-ay’s polls that exposed cracks within INDIA bloc ranks, while governing Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) comfortably pocketed Mizoram’s lone Upper House seat.Contests in MP, Karnataka and Rajasthan ended June 11, the day withdrawal of nominations closed. BJP won three seats in MP, Congress three and BJP one in Karnataka, while BJP secured two seats and Congress one in Rajasthan – all unopposed.Jharkhand’s contest went down to wire. In the 81-member assembly, INDIA bloc held a clear edge with 56 MLAs – 34 from JMM, 16 from Congress, four from RJD and two from CPI-ML Liberation – against NDA’s 24. Under a 1:1 seat-sharing pact, JMM fielded former minister Baidyanath Ram and Congress nominated Pranav Jha.Ram won 30 votes and Nathwani secured 28, enough to clinch the second berth. Jha finished third with 20 votes. Three ballots were declared invalid. “An Independent candidate has once again resorted to horse-trading under BJP’s patronage. While our own MLAs and four from JMM remained intact, MLAs from RJD and CPI-ML did not support us,” Congress’s Jharkhand affairs in-charge K Raju alleged. CPI-ML rejected Congress’s allegations. State secretary Manoj Bhakt said both its MLAs voted for Jha. “Congress is resorting to baseless rhetoric to conceal its own weaknesses,” he said.BJP hailed the result as legislators voting according to their conscience.In Mizoram, ZPM candidate K Laltluangkima (63) cruised to victory. Returning officer Zothansanga Ralte said the turnout was 36 in the 40-member assembly. ZPM’s W Chhuanawma did not vote because of health issues, while two BJP MLAs and the lone Congress legislator abstained. Mizo National Front, which has 10 MLAs, fielded Zothansangi Hmar. Sources said Laltluangkima secured 26 votes against Hmar’s 10.
