The Rajya Sabha polls for two seats to fill will be the next major electoral battle later this month, on June 18, 2026, one that will be closely watched amid cross-voting possibilities.

The BJP is geared up for the June 18 election, with party national president Nitin Nabin to arrive at the capital city of Jharkhand, Ranchi, on June 7.

The election comes at a time when two RS seats fell vacant. One due to the demise of the ruling JMM supremo, Shibu Soren. Second, the BJP MP, Deepak Prakash, six year term ends on June 21.

Both the JMM-led coalition partners and the opposition BJP appear to be determined to bag these prestigious seats. 

In the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, a candidate requires 28 votes to win an RS seat. The ruling coalition has exactly 56 votes: JMM (34), Congress (16), RJD (4), and CPI-ML (2).

Under the coalition arrangement, the JMM is set to field a candidate for one seat, while its primary ally, the Congress, has staked a strong claim on the second seat. If their MLAs remain united, the JMM and the Congress can win one RS seat each. 

However, despite lacking the required numbers (the NDA holds just 24 votes), the BJP has announced it will field a candidate.

Citing historical controversies, the JMM has written to the Election Commission to keep central agencies on alert for potential horse-trading and financial malpractices.

Nominations for the June 18 elections are scheduled to close on June 8, with polling set to take place if an agreement isn't reached. You can track further updates and official announcements via the Election Commission of India.