• Source: Ashish Jha

State Bureau, Ranchi | The meeting between Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel helped the allies to clear the misunderstandings within the Grand Alliance ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. After the key meeting, the duo reached an agreement to contest on one seat each. The development comes amid reports that all is not well between the allies, especially after the Assam polls.

The JMM and Congress announced the names of their respective candidates. While Congress nominated Pranav Jha, the JMM fielded former minister Baidyanath Ram.

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Pranav Jhah Is A Close Aide Of Kharge

Jha is the choice of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and the party would spare no effort to ensure his victory in the upcoming Rajya Sabha election. Jha is Kharge's longtime political advisor.

ALSO READ: Jharkhand Rajya Sabha Elections: Allies JMM And Congress In Race For Two Seats; How Are Numbers At Play?

First, Telangana Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka visited, and then on Saturday, Baghel and Ajay Sharma were sent to speak to the JMM leadership to ensure solid coordination to avoid cross-voting.

When Baghel and Sharma came out of their nearly two-hour meeting with the Soren, satisfaction and confidence were clearly visible on their faces.

Speaking to the media persons at the chief minister's residence, Baghel said the Grand Alliance will win both seats. There is no misunderstanding, he asserted.

Regarding the hurt feelings expressed by some JMM leaders, Sharma, who was sent to Jharkhand as an observer, said that in party politics, it happens, but the high command sorts it out.

Earlier in the day, Congress leaders and workers gave Baghel and Sharma, who were appointed observers for the Rajya Sabha elections, a grand welcome at Ranchi airport.

Dozens of leaders, including state Congress president Keshav Mahato-Kamlesh, Congress ministers in the state government Radhakrishna Kishore, Deepika Pandey Singh, Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Bandhu Tirkey, Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, Aditya Vikram Jaiswal, Alok Dubey, and others, were present.

Excited workers also raised slogans of "Long Live Baghel and Sharma." Congress leaders indicated that the party would contest the elections with full strength.
(With Jagran.com Inputs)


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