{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Congress Ends BJP's Decade-Long Hold on Pali Civic Body as State Chief Loses Own Ward",
  "summary": "In the Rajasthan local body elections 2026, the BJP suffered a major blow in Pali, the home district of state president Madan Rathore. Congress emerged as the largest party by winning 29 out of 65 wards, while the BJP was reduced to 21 seats.",
  "content": "The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party experienced a major setback in the Rajasthan local body elections 2026 as the opposition Congress breached the home turf of BJP State President Madan Rathore. In Pali Municipal Corporation, Congress ended a decade of BJP dominance by delivering a convincing performance. The BJP, which held control over the local civic body for the past 10 years, fell well short of the required majority, while Congress emerged as the single largest political force.\n\nWard Equations and Seat Tally in Pali Municipal Corporation\nThe election across the 65 wards of Pali Municipal Corporation yielded a decisive shift in political dynamics. Congress secured 29 wards, establishing itself as the leading party in the house. On the other hand, the ruling BJP was constrained to just 21 wards, while independent candidates claimed victory in 15 wards.\n\nIn the 65-member corporation, the majority mark stands at 33 seats. Since no party achieved a clear majority independently, Congress remains four seats short of an absolute majority despite leading the tally. Consequently, the 15 independent councillors hold the key to forming the next board and electing the mayor. To retain power in the corporation, the BJP would need the support of at least 12 independent members, presenting a formidable challenge for the party.\n\nSetback in Ward 23: BJP State Chief's Own Neighborhood Lost\nThe most notable outcome of the election emerged from Ward Number 23, where BJP State President Madan Rathore currently resides. Although Rathore originates from Sumerpur in Pali district, where he previously served as a two-time MLA and former BJP district chief, the party suffered a direct loss in his current residential ward. While the BJP managed to win in Sumerpur, it lost Ward 23 in Pali city.\n\nIn Ward 23, official BJP candidate Khushbu Lodha was defeated by the Congress candidate. The loss in the immediate locality of the state party chief has dealt a severe psychological blow to the BJP leadership.\n\nCongress Overcomes Nomination Hurdles to Secure Victory\nThe victory for Congress in Pali comes against significant operational hurdles faced during the nomination phase. The party suffered initial setbacks when nomination papers of 4 Congress candidates were rejected during scrutiny. Additionally, party symbols for 2 candidate nominees failed to arrive on time, disqualifying them from contesting under the party banner, while 1 Congress candidate chose to extend support to the BJP contestant.\n\nAs a result of these disruptions, Congress fielded candidates in only 58 out of the total 65 wards. Winning 29 out of the 58 contested seats represents a strong strike rate for the party under difficult circumstances.\n\nPre-Election Defections and Historical Context of Pali Civic Body\nThe political environment in Pali shifted dramatically ahead of the polls when former BJP Mayor Rekha Rakesh Bhati and her husband Rakesh Bhati deserted the BJP to join Congress. Rakesh Bhati subsequently contested the election on a Congress ticket and emerged victorious, dealing an early political blow to the BJP.\n\nHistorically, Pali operated as a municipal council before being upgraded to a municipal corporation during the tenure of the previous Ashok Gehlot-led government. Rekha Rakesh Bhati, who was serving as council chairperson at the time, became the first mayor of the newly established municipal corporation. In the first general civic election following its elevation to corporation status, the BJP lost control of the urban government.\n\nAlongside its success in Pali, Congress also secured a strong victory in Jhalawar, traditionally considered a stronghold of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, further pushing back the BJP in the 2026 Rajasthan local body polls.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe Pali Municipal Corporation election results will directly impact local infrastructure projects, civic administration, and the political balance in the district.\n\n• Across Rajasthan: The outcome in major civic bodies signals shifting local political dynamics, giving momentum to opposition Congress in municipal governance.\n• In Pali: With Congress leading and preparing to form the municipal board with independent support, residents can expect shifts in city administration, sanitation, and municipal service management.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe defeat of the BJP and the emergence of Congress as the single largest party in Pali was driven by local anti-incumbency, high-profile defections, and strategic party dynamics.\n\n• High-Profile Defections: The exit of former BJP mayor Rekha Rakesh Bhati and her husband Rakesh Bhati to Congress right before the elections significantly weakened BJP's local structure.\n• Decade-Long Anti-Incumbency: The BJP had controlled the Pali local body for 10 years, leading to voter fatigue and dissatisfaction over local civic infrastructure.\n• Consolidated Opposition Vote: Despite losing candidates in 7 wards due to technical rejection or delays, Congress consolidated its support base in the remaining 58 contested wards.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What were the ward results for Pali Municipal Corporation in the 2026 elections?\nOut of 65 wards in Pali Municipal Corporation, Congress won 29 seats, the BJP secured 21 seats, and independents won 15 seats.\n\n2. How did the BJP perform in BJP State President Madan Rathore's ward?\nIn Ward Number 23 where Madan Rathore resides, BJP candidate Khushbu Lodha lost to the Congress candidate.\n\n3. What is the majority mark required to elect the Mayor in Pali?\nIn the 65-member house, 33 seats are needed for a majority. Congress has 29 seats and needs 4 more independent votes, while the BJP requires 12 independent councillors.\n\n4. How many wards did Congress contest in Pali?\nDue to nomination rejections and technical issues in 7 wards, Congress contested 58 wards out of 65 and won 29 of them.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/pali-nagara-nigama-men-bjp-ka-dasa-sala-purana-raja-khatma-pradesha-adhyaksha-ke-apane-varda-men-bhi-jiti-congress-32170",
  "category": "Rajasthan",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-14",
  "tags": [
    "Rajasthan Local Body Elections 2026",
    "Pali Municipal Corporation",
    "Madan Rathore",
    "Congress",
    "BJP",
    "Rekha Rakesh Bhati"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}