Ranchi: In the recent Rajya Sabha elections of Jharkhand, the spotlight was on businessman and leader Parimal Nathwani. He was an independent candidate but had the support of the BJP. Nathwani made history by defeating Congress candidate Pranav Jha, achieving a record fourth term in the Rajya Sabha, which has dealt a significant blow to Congress.
The Jharkhand Assembly has 81 members, with 28 votes required for victory. Parimal Nathwani secured 28 valid votes, while Congress's Pranav Jha managed only 20 votes. Cross voting was also a topic of discussion in this election, with reports suggesting that some legislators from RJD and CPI (ML) voted in favor of Nathwani.
Parimal Nathwani hails from Gujarat and is recognized as a prominent businessman and a major figure in the corporate world. Alongside his business endeavors, he has established a strong foothold in politics, frequently being mentioned for his developmental work in Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh.
Nathwani's association with Jharkhand is not new. He first won the Rajya Sabha elections as an independent candidate from Jharkhand in 2008. At that time, he received support from legislators across various parties, obtaining 21 votes through cross voting.
In 2014, Nathwani once again won as an independent candidate from Jharkhand, marking his second consecutive term in the Rajya Sabha. He again garnered support from legislators of different parties.
In June 2020, Parimal Nathwani was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh as a candidate of the YSR Congress Party, thereby representing a state outside Jharkhand for the first time.
Now, he has returned to Jharkhand and has become a Rajya Sabha member for the fourth time. Thus, Parimal Nathwani has won the Rajya Sabha elections four times, with three victories from Jharkhand and one from Andhra Pradesh. This is his third win from Jharkhand.
Political analysts state that Nathwani's greatest strength lies in his good relationships with leaders from all parties. Over the years, he has maintained contact with leaders from different political parties in Jharkhand, which is why he has received support even outside party lines on several occasions.
During his previous terms in the Rajya Sabha, Nathwani has raised issues related to development, roads, electricity, tribal welfare, and infrastructure. He has also facilitated several development projects through his MP funds, including roads, community buildings, and other initiatives in villages.
Before this election, his meeting with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren garnered attention. Subsequently, he received support from the NDA and succeeded in winning the election. After his victory, Parimal Nathwani remarked that this is his fourth term in the Rajya Sabha and his third win from Jharkhand. He mentioned that his parliamentary journey began in this state and that he has a special connection with its people.
