RANCHI, March 8 -- With two Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs from Jharkhand in couple of months, fissures seems to be appearing in the ruling INDIA bloc in the state, with Congress staking claim over at least one seat, even as the lead partner Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) eying both the berths in the Upper House of the Parliament.

Of the six Rajya Seats from the state, one is vacant since the death of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren in August last year. The second seat would become vacant in June with completion of the six-year term of BJP MP Deepak Prakash.

Elections for the two seats, if required, is likely to be held in May, people aware of the development said. However, the political temperatures has already started heating up in the state,...