BJP’s Pradeep Verma and INDIA bloc-backed JMM’s Sarfaraz Ahmed were declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand on Thursday.

The announcement was a formality with only two candidates in the fray leading to their announcement as elected unopposed. Thursday was the last date for the withdrawal of nominations.

However, the JMM which leads the coalition government in Jharkhand (with the Congress and the RJD) alleged that Verma had hidden facts in his affidavit and threatened to approach the Election Commission.

Mumbai industrialist Harihar Mahapatra had bought nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections but could not prepare the MLAs as his proposer. For this reason, he had distanced himself from the elections. There was one candidate each from the ruling party and the Opposition.

With no third candidate, both candidates sealed berths for the Rajya Sabha without the need for an election (scheduled on March 21).

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 has three. While a lone NCP MLA has pitched in for the NDA, the lone CPI(ML) MLA is supporting INDIA. One nominated member (from the Anglo-Indian community) supported Champai Soren during the floor test in the Assembly last month. There are also two Independent MLAs.

JMM’s central general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya claimed that Verma is a native of Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh) and had amassed properties across different parts of Jharkhand, several of which have not been disclosed in the affidavit.

“The selection of Verma by the BJP shows their concern for locals and tribals. Their candidate is originally from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and had amassed wealth while working for a corporate group. However, several of the properties have not been disclosed in the affidavit submitted during the Rajya Sabha nomination. We will approach the Election Commission of India soon with the details against Verma,” said Bhattacharya.

The election for Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand was necessitated as the tenure of Rajya Sabha members Dheeraj Sahu (Congress) and Sameer Oraon (BJP) will end on May 3.