Political temperatures in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district have suddenly spiked ahead of the Nathdwara civic polls 2026, after the BJP's own candidate from Ward 23 stepped in front of cameras to publicly question his party's election strategy.
Clash outside the sub-divisional office three days earlier
The controversy traces back to an ugly scene three days earlier, when BJP and Congress leaders confronted each other outside Nathdwara's sub-divisional office. The face-off triggered a heated political spectacle that put the local administration on alert, and it set the stage for the fresh twist that followed.
Prajapat says he'll back Congress rival Ajay Gurjar
Speaking to reporters, Ward 23 BJP candidate Dinesh Prajapat said he would extend support to Congress candidate Ajay Gurjar in the same ward. He claimed that the party had got not one but five forms filled in his name, without ever briefing him properly. According to Prajapat, he had never even seen what a nomination form looks like, he was simply made to sign wherever he was told. "I don't want to contest an election like this," he said, adding that he made this clear the moment restrictions were placed on him.
BJP district chief Jagdish Paliwal hits back at Congress
Reacting to the episode, Rajsamand BJP district president Jagdish Paliwal launched a sharp attack on Congress. He alleged that Congress functionaries in Nathdwara had trampled on the democratic process itself, insisting that Ward 23 candidate Dinesh Prajapat had been misled, lured with incentives and brought under influence. "Democracy has been murdered here," Paliwal said.
Photo and video evidence raise fresh questions
Paliwal further claimed that a photograph of a Congress leader was put up at the very spot where the BJP candidate was seen sitting. He said a video circulating from the scene made it evident in what condition the candidate had been kept. According to Paliwal, Prajapat had been under watch from the day he filed his nomination papers.
More political sparring expected in the days ahead
With the BJP candidate's announcement of support for his Congress rival, the electoral arithmetic in Ward 23 has been thrown wide open, and local politics has heated up considerably. The war of words between the two parties shows no sign of cooling, and further sharp exchanges are expected over the coming days.
