Jharkhand NDA MLAs camp at five-star hotel in Ranchi ahead of Rajya Sabha polls

With the Rajya Sabha election expected to be closely contested in Jharkhand, INDIA bloc as well as the NDA have stepped up efforts to keep their respective camps united and prevent any possibility of cross-voting or defections.

In Short

• Ruling coalition asks 56 supporting MLAs to remain in Ranchi
• Dinner meetings at Hemant Soren's residence will focus on election strategy
• NDA MLAs gather at 5-star hotel in Ranchi ahead of Rajya Sabha polls

A five-star hotel in Ranchi has become the centre of political activity ahead of the June 18 Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand, where three candidates are in the fray for two seats.

While the ruling INDIA bloc has fielded JMM's Baijnath Ram and Congress's Pranav Jha, the NDA is backing independent candidate Parimal Nathwani.

With the election expected to be closely contested, both alliances have stepped up efforts to keep their respective camps united and prevent any possibility of cross-voting or defections.

NDA'S 5-STAR POLITICS

The NDA has adopted "resort politics" to keep its flock together. All 24 NDA MLAs have been asked to stay at Ranchi's Radisson Blu hotel on June 16 and 17 and travel from there to cast their votes on June 18.

The move comes amid heightened caution within the alliance after seven NDA legislators, including senior leaders Champai Soren and Saryu Roy, skipped a meeting held at the BJP state headquarters on Monday.

Adding to the intrigue, Congress leaders claimed that three NDA MLAs were in touch with the ruling alliance, fuelling speculation about possible cross-voting ahead of the election.

MLAs began checking into the hotel on Tuesday morning. Barkagaon MLA Roshan Lal Choudhary was among the first to arrive. He said he had packed clothes for two days and would participate in training sessions before casting his vote on June 18.

Speaking at the hotel, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pradip Verma said the arrangement would allow NDA legislators to "stay together and enjoy" ahead of the election.

BJP state president Babulal Marandi flashed a victory sign and expressed confidence that NDA-backed candidate would win. AJSU MLA Nirmal Mahato and Lok Janshakti Party MLA Janardan Paswan, both NDA allies, were also present at the hotel.

INDIA BLOC MLAs AT CM RESIDENCE

Meanwhile, the 56 MLAs supporting the ruling coalition have been asked to remain in Ranchi and attend meetings at the Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence on June 16 and 17.

Congress leaders said INDIA bloc MLAs would hold strategy meetings over dinner on both days to ensure the victory of Ram and Jha in the Rajya Sabha polls.

MLAs belonging to the INDIA bloc also participated in a mock polling exercise on Tuesday to familiarise newly elected legislators with the voting process.

Following the session, Jharkhand minister Deepika Pandey Singh expressed confidence that both ruling alliance candidates — Ram and Jha — would emerge victorious in the Rajya Sabha elections.

- Ends