Rajasthan Mayoral Sweeps
BJP Secures All Three Mayoral Posts in Rajasthan Amid Congress Irregularity Allegations
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Key Points
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Before the Jodhpur mayoral vote, the BJP said it had support from seven independent councillors, giving it 52 votes—one above the majority mark; independents and an RLP councillor held 11 seats.
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After winning Jodhpur, Prasannchand Mehta said that improving the city’s roads would be among his immediate priorities, with Diwali approaching.
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In Jaipur, one vote went to NOTA, bringing the total to 150. The BJP had won 78 of the corporation’s 150 wards in the earlier councillor election, compared with Congress’s 53 and independents’ 15.
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During the Jaipur dispute, Congress leaders demanded that CCTV footage be reviewed to establish who entered the polling area and whether they were authorised; the situation was later brought under control and councillors were allowed to vote.
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Alongside the mayoral contests, BJP’s Jitendra Chopra won the chairperson’s post in the newly formed Suket municipality by one vote; Congress’s Sushil Kumar Meedha won the Shrivijaynagar chairperson election.
The BJP swept all three mayoral races in Rajasthan, winning in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota. Indian Express reported that Sunil Kothari defeated Congress candidate Sunita Mawar 89 votes to 60 in Jaipur. Anusuiya Goswami won Kota 65 to 35. In Jodhpur, Prasannchand Mehta beat Congress nominee Rajendra Solanki 53 to 47, despite neither party holding an outright majority among councillors beforehand.
Congress alleged voting irregularities in Jaipur and Jodhpur, Mid-Day reported, claiming its representatives faced obstruction. In Jodhpur, the party raised concerns that ballot markings could compromise voting secrecy. These allegations were not independently verified. The BJP's victories strengthen its control over three of Rajasthan's largest municipal bodies.
BJP's Path to Jaipur Victory
In Jaipur's mayoral race, Devdiscourse reported that Kothari secured 89 votes against Congress's 60, with one vote cast for NOTA. The total reached 150 votes. The BJP had won 78 of the 150 municipal wards in the councillor election earlier, compared with Congress's 53 and independents' 15.
Congress demanded CCTV footage review during the voting dispute, seeking to verify who entered the polling area and whether they were authorized. ANI News noted that the situation was later brought under control and councillors were allowed to vote. Kothari promised to work for the city's betterment and development following his win.
Jodhpur Mayor Election Decided by Independent Support
In Jodhpur, the BJP secured victory despite lacking an initial outright majority among the 100 municipal councillors. The party said it had secured support from seven independent councillors, bringing its total to 52 votes—one above the majority threshold. Mid-Day reported that Prasannchand Mehta defeated Congress's Rajendra Solanki 53 to 47.
Following his election, Mehta told the press that improving city roads would be an immediate priority as Diwali approached. Devdiscourse noted that independents and an RLP councillor held 11 seats in the corporation, giving them potential leverage in close contests.
Congress Raises Ballot Secrecy Concerns in Jodhpur
Congress leaders contested the Jodhpur result, citing concerns over voting procedures. Indian Express reported that the party alleged ballot markings could compromise voting secrecy. Congress also accused BJP representatives of obstructing its own representatives during the voting process. The allegations added tension to an already contentious race.
The dispute did not overturn the result. Mehta's 53-47 victory stood, giving the BJP control of Jodhpur's municipal corporation. The win extends the party's influence over three major Rajasthan cities and their budgets for the coming municipal term.
BJP Also Wins Suket Chairperson Race
Beyond the three major mayoral contests, Daily Hunt reported that BJP's Jitendra Chopra won the chairperson's post in the newly formed Suket municipality by a single vote. The narrow margin underscored the competitive nature of municipal politics in Rajasthan. Congress's Sushil Kumar Meedha won the separate Shrivijaynagar chairperson election.
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