BJP Outpaces Congress in Rajasthan Civic Polls
BJP leads across major urban bodies, while independent councillors hold the key in Ajmer and Pali
- BJP won 78 of 146 declared wards in Jaipur, against Congress’ 53.
- BJP emerged victorious in Kota, Udaipur and Alwar.
- Congress secured a clear advantage only in Bikaner, where its mayor is set to be elected.
- Independent councillors could decide the mayoral outcome in Ajmer and Pali.
GG News Bureau
Jaipur, 15th Sept: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a strong performance in Rajasthan’s local body elections, emerging ahead of the Congress across several major municipal corporations.
Of the 146 declared results out of 150 wards in Jaipur, BJP won 78 wards while Congress secured 53. BJP also won in Kota, Udaipur and Alwar, while independents dominated the results in Bharatpur.
In Bharatpur, independent candidates won 38 of 65 wards, compared with 20 won by BJP and seven by Congress.
In the 10 municipal corporations, the BJP is positioned to form the mayor’s board in five, according to the reported results. In Jodhpur, the BJP is also in a position to secure the mayor’s post. Interestingly, BJP won the ward represented by former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, while Congress won the ward represented by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Congress secured the mayoral position in Bikaner, while in Ajmer and Pali, Congress won the highest number of councillor seats but independents are expected to play a decisive role in determining the mayor.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma attributed the BJP’s strong performance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the results showed the support of the state’s youth for Modi.
Mayoral Elections in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota Deferred
The State Election Commission has postponed elections for the mayor and deputy mayor of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota municipal corporations, as well as the chairman and vice-chairman elections in Suket Municipality.
The postponement followed technical problems with EVMs at some polling booths, where results could not be declared. Repolling at 10 polling stations in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Suket is scheduled for September 16, with counting to take place on September 17.
Elections to Rajasthan’s 309 urban local bodies were conducted in two phases. The first phase was held on September 9 and the second on September 11. The elections covered 10 municipal corporations, 51 municipal councils and 248 municipalities.
Overall voter turnout across both phases stood at 74.05%, with 76.41% recorded in the first phase and 71.69% in the second.
