Congress pips BJP in polls for urban local bodies in Rajasthan

The ruling Congress in Rajasthan has dealt a body blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party by achieving the right to rule in 36 out of 50 urban local bodies (ULB). The formation of governing bodies in the ULB is a significant gain for the Congress after the none-too-impressive performance in the Panchayat polls. Though the Congress secured 0.28 per cent more votes than the BJP in the Panchayat polls, it emerged far ahead in the urban areas.

The elections for the local bodies were held in 12 districts and in 50 small and large municipal bodies where 14.32 lakh voters cast their votes. 29 males and 22 females were elected as chairperson. The Congress won in 619 out of 1775 wards, independents won in 595 wards and the BJP in 549 wards. All other parties fared insignificantly, proving once again that electoral politics in the state is a bi-polar affair with little space for the other political outfits.

Congress managed to get the support of independents to form boards, showing that they favoured and trusted the Congress more than the BJP. There were 43 municipalities and seven municipal councils. In the 2015 elections, the BJP was in power in 34 local bodies and the Congress in only eight. Thus the Congress managed to perform better with the support of the independents.

In Alwar districts, out of the six local bodies, the BJP managed to form its board in four, while the Congress managed to win in two bodies.

Congress was successful in two local bodies in Baran district. In Bharatpur where there are eight local bodies, the Congress was successful in all the eight by getting its chairpersons elected. In neighbouring Dholpur, which is the home district of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the Congress was successful in having its boards in two local bodies, while in Dholpur proper, an independent became the municipal chairman.

In Dausa, Congress managed to form its boards in all the three bodies. In Sriganganagar, where there were eight local bodies, the honours were equally shared by the Congress and the BJP.

In the biggest district of the state, Jaipur, Congress after 20 years was able to give an outstanding performance by managing to form its boards in nine out of the 10 local bodies and one was won by an independent.

In Jodhpur which is the home district of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the elections for the chairperson was held in two local bodies in which one was one was by the BJP and the other by the Congress. Similarly in Kota’s two bodies and Sawai Madhopur, the honours were shared equally. In Karauli, all the three winners were of the Congress and in Abu Road in Sirohi, the BJP won.

Sixteen Congress MLAs were successful in making the Congress governing boards in their constituencies, while six Congress MLAs failed.