# Direct Clash Between Congress and BJP for Bikaner Mayor Post After Rebel Candidate Steps Down

> In a major boost for the Congress party, rebel candidate Navratan Daga has withdrawn his nomination for the Bikaner Municipal Corporation mayor election, paving the way for a direct contest between Anil Kalla and BJP's Dr. Surendra Singh Shekhawat.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Rajasthan · **Published:** 2026-09-18 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/bikaner-meyara-chunava-men-congress-ke-bagi-ummidavara-ne-vapasa-liya-parcha-aba-bjp-se-hoga-sidha-mukabala-33263 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Bikaner Municipal Corporation, Mayor Election, Congress, Navratan Daga, Anil Kalla, Surendra Singh Shekhawat, Rajasthan Politics

The mayoral race for the Bikaner Municipal Corporation has witnessed a dramatic turn of events, bringing substantial relief to the Congress camp. The internal dispute within the party, which threatened to disrupt its electoral prospects, has been successfully resolved. Navratan Daga, who had rebelled against the party line to file his nomination as an independent candidate, officially withdrew his papers. Following this development, the electoral battlefield is now cleared for a direct, head-to-head contest between the official Congress nominee, Anil Kalla, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Dr. Surendra Singh Shekhawat.

 

## Tensions Arise on Nomination Day

The trouble for the Congress party had commenced on the very day of nominations. Factionalism and internal rifts within the local unit became evident when Navratan Daga filed his nomination papers against the party's official candidate, Anil Kalla. This move raised several questions regarding party discipline and triggered intense speculation about divisions within the ranks, prompting fears of a potential split in votes that could benefit the opposition.

 

## Senior Leadership Steps In to Resolve Crisis

Efforts to pacify the rebel candidate and restore unity within the party began immediately. Senior leaders initiated dialogues to bridge the differences. The deadlock was finally broken following a crucial meeting between Navratan Daga and Congress State President Govind Singh Dotasra. After discussing his concerns, Daga agreed to withdraw his nomination. Explaining his initial decision, Daga stated that his main intention behind filing the nomination was to put forward his views in a democratic manner. Asserting his loyalty, he declared himself a dedicated soldier of the Congress and affirmed his complete support for the party's chosen candidate, Anil Kalla. He added that the state president had appreciated his commitment to democratic principles.

 

## Defense Against Allegations of Nepotism

Expressing his gratitude, former minister Dr. B.D. Kalla thanked Navratan Daga for prioritizing the party's interests and withdrawing his candidature. Addressing the allegations of nepotism that have surfaced during this election, Dr. B.D. Kalla defended his political legacy, pointing out that he has spent 50 years in active politics. During this long period, no other member of his family had stepped forward to contest. He questioned how a family member's participation in an election could be labeled as nepotism, arguing that qualification and public service should not be dismissed based on family ties. He also noted that several families within the BJP have multiple members actively contesting elections.

 

## The Municipal Math and Final Countdown

The political maneuvering continues as both parties assess their strength in the municipal council. Dehat Congress District President Bisanaram Sihag maintained that the party stands entirely united. He expressed confidence that the Congress mayoral candidate would secure a victory with a margin of 50 votes. Looking at the composition of the 80-ward Bikaner Municipal Corporation, the Congress holds a comfortable position with 42 seats, while the BJP has 27 seats. The council also includes 10 independent councillors and one councillor representing the RLP. Both major political parties are actively courting the independent candidates and looking out for potential cross-voting to tip the scales in their favor. The BJP remains optimistic about securing enough support to form the board. The final voting is scheduled to take place on September 21, and the next Mayor of Bikaner will be decided by the evening of the same day.

## What this means for you
The resolution of this political stand-off in the Bikaner Municipal Corporation will have a direct bearing on local governance and urban development.

- **Civic Development in Bikaner:** A clear, direct contest increases the likelihood of a stable municipal board being formed. Consequently, key civic issues such as road repairs, waste management, and drainage systems can be addressed without administrative delays.

- **Political Dynamics in Rajasthan:** The successful resolution of internal rebellion serves as a blueprint for managing party dissent. This outcome is likely to encourage other local units to prioritize party discipline in upcoming municipal contests.

## Why this happened
The resolution of the political crisis in Bikaner was driven by initial resentment over candidate selection followed by rapid damage control by the state leadership. The Congress party aimed to prevent any split in votes to guarantee a favorable electoral outcome.

- **Resentment Over Nomination:** The party's decision to field Anil Kalla caused dissatisfaction among local leaders. This discontent led Navratan Daga to rebel and file his nomination as an independent candidate.

- **Intervention by State Leadership:** Congress State President Govind Singh Dotasra personally intervened to resolve the dispute. He held a meeting with Daga, addressed his grievances, and successfully persuaded him to step down.

- **Prioritizing Party Unity:** After expressing his views, Navratan Daga decided to prioritize the collective interest of the party. He withdrew his candidature to prevent any division of votes that could have benefited the BJP.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Who are the main candidates left in the Bikaner mayor election?
The direct contest is now between Anil Kalla of the Congress and Dr. Surendra Singh Shekhawat of the BJP.

### 2. Why did the rebel Congress candidate Navratan Daga withdraw his nomination?
Navratan Daga withdrew his nomination to maintain party unity after a meeting and successful discussion with Congress State President Govind Singh Dotasra.

### 3. What is the seat equation in the Bikaner Municipal Corporation?
Out of the 80 wards in Bikaner Municipal Corporation, the Congress has 42 seats, the BJP has 27 seats, followed by 10 independents and one RLP councillor.

### 4. When is the voting for the Bikaner mayor election scheduled?
The voting will take place on September 21, and the results will be declared on the evening of the same day.

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