Congress Protests Against BJP-Backed Independent Candidate's Rajya Sabha Nomination in Jharkhand
The returning officer in Jharkhand cleared the nomination papers of BJP-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani for the Rajya Sabha elections on Wednesday, declaring them valid. The Congress party had protested and demanded cancellation, alleging false and incomplete information in his nomination documents. The decision comes as Jharkhand prepares for Rajya Sabha polls on June 18 for two available seats.
Parimal Nathwani, a current Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh and BJP-backed Independent candidate, filed his nomination papers for one of two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand on June 8, 2026. The Congress party staged a protest on June 10, demanding cancellation of his nomination and alleging serious discrepancies and incomplete information in his affidavit. The returning officer initially put his nomination on hold and gave him until 11 a.m. on June 10 to resolve objections. However, by Wednesday afternoon, Returning Officer Ranjeet Kumar issued an order declaring Nathwani's nomination papers valid under Section 36 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Congress, part of the ruling INDIA bloc coalition in Jharkhand, claimed the objections raised were not adequately addressed. Polling is scheduled for June 18, with candidates needing a minimum of 28 first-preference votes to secure victory.
What's missing
The specific nature of the alleged discrepancies and incomplete information in Nathwani's nomination papers is not detailed in either source. Additionally, the sources do not explain what objections were raised or how they were resolved by the returning officer.
What different sources said
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