Jharkhand alliance fractures over Rajya Sabha nominations

The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections have exposed a rift within Jharkhand's ruling alliance, pitting the Congress against its partner, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

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JMM will finalise the candidates’ names soon.

The Congress announced its candidate for one of the two Rajya Sabha seats, Pranav Jha, a close aide to party leader Kharge. However, this move has been met with strong opposition from the JMM.

Following a meeting of JMM legislators, Chief Minister Hemant Soren indicated that the party would field its own candidates for both seats. "JMM will finalise the candidates’ names soon," stated state minister Hafizul Hassan. Another minister, Yogendra Yadav, added, "The JMM will field its candidates for both the Rajya Sabha seats. Party workers and leaders have expressed not only their willingness, but also a consensus to field our own candidates in both seats."

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The JMM will field its candidates for both the Rajya Sabha seats. Party workers and leaders have expressed not only their willingness, but also a consensus to field our own candidates in both seats. The party chief will finalise the candidates’ names for both seats.

JMM leaders expressed feeling "hurt" by the Congress's unilateral decision, emphasizing that the alliance's electoral successes were under Soren's leadership. They believe the Rajya Sabha elections should also be conducted under his guidance.

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The alliance has the support of 56 legislators in the assembly, which is enough for both candidates to win. The issue was discussed in the PAC meeting, where all of us decided to work with our allies and ensure both candidates win.

Despite the JMM's stance, Jharkhand Congress in-charge K Raju expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc's candidates would win, citing the alliance's majority in the assembly. "The alliance has the support of 56 legislators in the assembly, which is enough for both candidates to win," Raju said. He added that the Congress plans to meet with the Chief Minister to discuss a strategy to ensure both candidates' victory.

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The alliance was led by our chief minister in both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in 2024. People reposed faith on leadership of Hemant Soren. Therefore, even the Rajya Sabha election would be held under his leadership.