Pradeep Verma from the BJP-led NDA and JMM's Sarfaraz Ahmed from the INDIA bloc on Monday filed their nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha polls in Jharkhand.
In the absence of a third candidate in the fray, both of them are expected to win unopposed the two Rajya Sabha seats in the state for which elections will be held on March 21.
Verma was accompanied by BJP state president Babulal Marandi, leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Amar Bauri, Ajsu MLA Lambodar Mahato and NCP MLA Kamlesh Singh during the filing of nomination. Ahmed was accompanied by chief minister Champai Soren, cabinet minister and Congress legislative party leader Alamgir Alam and CPI-ML MLA Vinod Singh.
The JMM-led ruling alliance with the Congress and the RJD has 47 MLAs in the 81-member state Assembly, while the BJP has 26 MLAs and the Ajsu party three. While lone NCP MLA has pitched in for the NDA, the lone CPI(ML) MLA is supporting the INDIA bloc. One nominated member (from the Anglo-Indian community) had supported Champai Soren during the floor test in the Assembly last month. There are also two Independent MLAs.
The JMM has 29 MLAs in the ruling alliance, the Congress has 17 and the RJD has one MLA and will have the support of CPI(ML) and the nominated member.
JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya had on Sunday confirmed that Sarfaraz will be the INDIA bloc candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections.