Polling for two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand RANCHI: Voting began for the election to two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand on Thursday, amid adequate security arrangements on the assembly premises, an official said.Three candidates – BJP-backed Independent nominee Parimal Nathwani, JMM’s Baidyanath Ram and Pranav Jha of the Congress – are in the fray for the two seats.The voting started at 9 am at a polling station set up in the assembly complex amid fear of cross-voting, and will continue till 4 pm.”All arrangements, including adequate security, are in place to hold the polling peacefully,” the official said, adding that the counting of votes is likely to commence at 5 pm.The BJP-led NDA has 24 MLAs, four short of the minimum of 28 first-preference votes required in the 81-member assembly to secure a berth in the Upper House of Parliament.The ruling INDIA bloc, including the JMM and the Congress, has 56 members in the House.JMM’s Baidyanath Ram is expected to win easily, as the party has 34 members in the state assembly.Among the other INDIA bloc constituents, the Congress has 16 MLAs, the RJD has 4 legislators and the CPI(ML) Liberation two.All eyes are on the second seat, in which a tough fight between Congress’ Jha and NDA-backed Nathwani is likely.The NDA’s 24 MLAs include 21 from the BJP and one each from the LJP (Ram Vilas), AJSU Party and the JD(U). The Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha has one MLA.Both the ruling and opposition camps were leaving no stone unturned to keep their MLAs intact ahead of the polling.The NDA MLAs were shifted to a hotel in Ranchi on Tuesday, while the ruling INDIA bloc was busy holding meetings with its MLAs to thwart chances of cross-voting.The INDIA bloc MLAs, including those from the Congress, participated in a mock poll during a meeting at Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence on Tuesday night to make the new legislators aware of the exercise.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRanchi Police Arrest 2 Accused In RSS Office Petrol Bomb Attack’Calculated Move To Isolate And Endanger Her’: TMC On Mamata Security RowPM Modi, Trump Hold Bilateral Talks On Hormuz, Seafarers, Defence, Trade TiesSpeaker to Hear TMC and Rebel Camps Before Deciding on Breakaway Faction’s Claim’If India Comes Under Attack And Modi Is The Leader, US Will Help’: Trump’It’s A Rough…’: Trump Reacts To Indian Seafarers’ Deaths As PM Modi Raises ConcernsAfter BJP Exit, Annamalai Eyes New Political Party With Growing Membership Base’We Are Prepared’: Akhilesh Yadav Rejects Split Buzz, Accuses BJP of Engineering Defections | WatchRevolt-Hit TMC Asked to Vacate Kolkata Headquarters Amid Lease DisputeIndia Blocks Telegram Ahead Of NEET Re-Exam, But It Remains Operational On VPN123PhotostoriesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities netizens wish to see on the showMushrooms can provide up to 1200 IU Vitamin D per 100 grams if this small thing is done before cooking themHow to visit Kailash Mansarovar: Routes, permits, costs, best time to visit and key questions to ask60-second money lesson: 8 money saving hacks every woman using UPI should know right now5 luxury residential regions in Greater Noida attracting premium homebuyersWhat to do when your child is angry: Parents share most effective techniques that almost invariably workedRupali Ganguly’s rise to fame: From a filmmaker’s daughter to Indian television’s leading ladyHow to recognize manipulation: 5 life skills parents must teach children6 fun, cute and unique souvenirs you must bring home from JapanYou may not notice these health problems after 40 until it’s too late: The essential tests every man needs123Hot PicksJohn CenaFIFA World Cup 2026Dehradun NEET Aspirant DieTommy Fleetwood WifeScottie SchefflerIND vs AFG ScorecardUGC NET admit cardNHL TradeDayton BramhallTop TrendingCristiano RonaldoIshan KishanShubham GillFIFA World Cup 2026SSC CGL Tier 2 final answer keyDownload Optifine for Minecraft 26.2SpaceXCBSE 10th Second Board Result 2026Eknath ShindeAustria vs Jordan Match Result
RANCHI: Voting began for the election to two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand on Thursday, amid adequate security arrangements on the assembly premises, an official said.Three candidates – BJP-backed Independent nominee Parimal Nathwani, JMM’s Baidyanath Ram and Pranav Jha of the Congress – are in the fray for the two seats.The voting started at 9 am at a polling station set up in the assembly complex amid fear of cross-voting, and will continue till 4 pm.“All arrangements, including adequate security, are in place to hold the polling peacefully,” the official said, adding that the counting of votes is likely to commence at 5 pm.The BJP-led NDA has 24 MLAs, four short of the minimum of 28 first-preference votes required in the 81-member assembly to secure a berth in the Upper House of Parliament.The ruling INDIA bloc, including the JMM and the Congress, has 56 members in the House.JMM’s Baidyanath Ram is expected to win easily, as the party has 34 members in the state assembly.Among the other INDIA bloc constituents, the Congress has 16 MLAs, the RJD has 4 legislators and the CPI(ML) Liberation two.All eyes are on the second seat, in which a tough fight between Congress’ Jha and NDA-backed Nathwani is likely.The NDA’s 24 MLAs include 21 from the BJP and one each from the LJP (Ram Vilas), AJSU Party and the JD(U). The Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha has one MLA.Both the ruling and opposition camps were leaving no stone unturned to keep their MLAs intact ahead of the polling.The NDA MLAs were shifted to a hotel in Ranchi on Tuesday, while the ruling INDIA bloc was busy holding meetings with its MLAs to thwart chances of cross-voting.The INDIA bloc MLAs, including those from the Congress, participated in a mock poll during a meeting at Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence on Tuesday night to make the new legislators aware of the exercise.
