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Jun 23, 2026 Major2
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JMM Claims Alliance Leaders Control 50 MLAs' Votes in Rajya Sabha Election After Cross-Voting
JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya stated that 50 of 81 Jharkhand MLAs voted for Congress and JMM candidates in the Rajya Sabha election, whose leaders are Rahul Gandhi and Hemant Soren, while 28 MLAs who voted for the BJP-backed independent are led by Modi, Shah, and Nitin Navi. The announcement implicitly blamed RJD and Left Front allies for not supporting Congress, and Bhattacharya also criticized the central government's use of the Air Force in NEET-UG exams.

Quick Facts
Who
Supriyo Bhattacharya (JMM general secretary)
What
Rajya Sabha election held in Jharkhand
When
Monday (June 23, 2026)
Where
Jharkhand
- Rajya Sabha election held in Jharkhand
- Cross-voting occurred among coalition MLAs
- JMM clarified vote distribution and leadership attribution
- Three votes were invalidated
- Defectors identified within ruling coalition
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya clarified the party's position on cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election on Monday, asserting that of 81 state MLAs, 50 voted for Congress and JMM candidates. According to Bhattacharya, JMM candidate Baidyanath Ram received 30 votes while Congress candidate Pranav Jha received 20 votes, making Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi the leaders of these 50 lawmakers. The remaining 28 MLAs who voted for independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, backed by the BJP, are led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP national president Nitin Navi, the JMM official stated.
Bhattacharya's statement notably omitted RJD leaders Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, as well as any representatives from the Left Front (CPIM-led alliance), suggesting that neither group's MLAs voted for the Congress candidate. He described the three lawmakers whose votes were invalidated as "thoughtless," and indicated that the ruling coalition has identified which MLAs defected to vote for Nathwani. The JMM general secretary announced plans to review the election results soon, implying further action against the identified defectors.
Beyond the Rajya Sabha matter, Bhattacharya launched a scathing critique of the central government, accusing it of undermining India's democratic and institutional foundations. He specifically targeted the use of the Indian Air Force in conducting the NEET-UG examination, calling it unprecedented and suggesting the practice should extend to other agencies like the ED, CBI, and NIA if the logic were followed. Demanding the resignation of Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan for the examination's failure, Bhattacharya raised concerns about student suicides linked to the exam controversy and criticized the drift toward corporate-controlled education, claiming that access to medical degrees now depends on wealth rather than merit.
Why This Matters
The statement reveals internal fractures within Jharkhand's ruling coalition and highlights the BJP's continued influence over state legislators, which has direct implications for coalition stability and future legislative maneuvers. The attribution of votes to national leaders frames cross-voting as a broader national political strategy rather than individual defection, escalating the political stakes. Moreover, Bhattacharya's criticism of the Air Force's role in NEET-UG signals the opposition's intent to make central governance a key election issue, affecting national discourse on institutional autonomy and merit-based education access.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 23, 2026
WireSupriyo Bhattacharya holds press conference at JMM office in Harmu, Ranchi
Jun 23, 2026
WireJMM general secretary clarifies vote distribution in Rajya Sabha election: 50 for Congress-JMM, 28 for BJP-backed independent, 3 invalidated
Jun 23, 2026
WireBhattacharya attributes leadership of 50 MLAs to Soren and Gandhi, 28 MLAs to Modi, Shah, and Navi
Jun 23, 2026
WireJMM announces plans to review election results and identify defectors
Jun 23, 2026
WireBhattacharya criticizes central government's use of Air Force in NEET-UG exam and demands Education Minister's resignation