Ranchi, June 8 -- Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Hemant Soren on Monday skipped the INDIA bloc meeting. Rajya Sabha MP Sarfaraz Ahmad attended on behalf of the party.

Ahead of the meeting, when asked about his presence, Soren told reporters, "Possibly. I am trying. Let's see."

Hemant Soren is overseeing the biennial Rajya Sabha elections for JMM and Congress, and June 8 is the last date for the nomination.

JMM has announced MLA Baidyanath Ram, while Congress is set to field party secretary Pranav Jha for the Upper House polls on two seats in Jharkhand. Initially, the JMM wanted to field its candidates in both seats; however, the party leadership decided to leave one for its ally, Congress.

JMM MP Mahua...