JMM, Cong to contest for 2 Rajya Sabha seats from state

Ranchi: CM Hemant Soren on Sunday chaired an emergency meeting with all MLAs of INDIA bloc at his Kanke Road residence followed by dinner, sending a message of unity on the eve of last day of filing nominations on Monday for the two Rajya Sabha seats in the state. The election will be held on June 18.

The move comes amid days of internal bickerings over seat-sharing between both camps, followed by hectic parleys by Congress’ central observers with the CM since Saturday.

JMM, which heads the coalition govt with Congress and RJD, has named former minister Baidyanath Ram for one seat, while the grand old party has fielded Pranav Jha, a close aide of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on the other seat.

"All is well. There was nothing anywhere," finance minister and Congress MLA Radha Krishana Kishore told the media while entering the CM’s house in the evening.

After the meeting, he said, “It has been decided that all members will reach the assembly at 10:45 am. A meeting will be held in the chief minister’s office chamber. Both candidates are candidates of the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance). The chief minister will also be present during the filing of nominations by both candidates. Representatives of Congress, RJD and CPI(ML) will also participate.”

JMM general secretary Vinod Pandey said, “A meeting under the aegis of CM and JMM president resolved that we will stay united to ensure victories of both the candidates of INDIA bloc.”

Congress legislature party leader and Poreyahat MLA Pradeep Yadav said, “All MLAs of INDIA bloc will ensure victory of JMM and Congress candidates. Nominations will be filed by both candidates at 11 am on Monday.”

Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav from RJD said, “We will all travel together for filing of nominations at 11 am. Just as we have won previous elections, we will win this one strongly as well. Under the leadership of CM Hemant Soren, we will all come together and ensure success in this effort.”

Opposition BJP, on the other hand, was yet to make any announcement about its candidate despite central functionary Gourav
Vallabh purchasing nomination papers on Saturday.

Sources said the party is expected to back independent candidate and outgoing Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh and industrialist, Parimal Nathwani. Nathwani, who served as Rajya Sabha MP twice from Jharkhand, is said to have good rapport across
party lines. He met Hemant on Friday night seeking his support.

A BJP source said, "The central leadership is looking into the developments. NDA, as it is, doesn't have enough numbers to win. Hence, there is a possibility to avoid direct contest and back an independent who could be equally as good as a party candidate."

In the 81-member House, INDIA bloc has 56 members. If the entire flock stays united, both JMM and Congress are set to clinch one seat each. However, the contest is still open with the possibility of a third candidate being in the fray.