A critical political chapter is unfolding across Rajasthan as elected ward councillors cast their ballots to choose the heads of local urban governments in 273 bodies throughout the state. The widespread indirect election covers five municipal corporations, 41 municipal councils, and 262 municipal municipalities. Polling commenced at 10 am and will run until 2 pm, followed immediately by counting and official declaration of results later in the afternoon. The exercise follows the direct general ward councillor elections conducted on September 9 and September 11 across 305 urban bodies. While 32 local bodies have already witnessed unopposed victories, the race in the remaining territories has gathered intense momentum as rival political factions vie for control.
Independent Councillors Take Centre Stage
The fractured mandates delivered in numerous municipalities have elevated the importance of independent and rebel candidates. With neither the Bharatiya Janata Party nor the Congress managing a clear single-handed majority in several towns, independent councillors have emerged as decisive powerbrokers. To protect their flocks and woo undecided members, both mainstream parties organized safe camping arrangements for their councillors ahead of the vote. Negotiations with unaligned representatives continued until the final moments of voting to secure the required numbers for forming governing boards.
Mayoral Contests in Five Major Municipal Corporations
Crucial mayoral elections are underway on Monday across five major cities: Udaipur, Bikaner, Alwar, Pali, and Ajmer. In each of these municipal corporations, local administrators have established strict security rings to ensure peaceful polling.
In the Udaipur Municipal Corporation, which comprises 80 wards, the Bharatiya Janata Party commands a decisive majority with 53 councillors, while the Congress secured 23 seats and other candidates won four. The BJP has fielded Paras Singhvi for the mayoral chair against Congress candidate Dr. Poonam Kanwar.
The situation stands in contrast in the Bikaner Municipal Corporation, where Congress holds an edge with 42 councillors. The BJP stands at 27, and independent and other candidates account for 11 seats, turning the final tally into a test of coalition building.
Alwar is witnessing a historic election as councillors vote to pick the city's very first mayor. The corporation house of 80 seats is divided among 28 BJP councillors, 23 from Congress, and 14 independents. The race pits Sumanlata Agarwal of the BJP against Kamlesh Sharma of Congress. The voting takes place via paper ballot featuring a None of the Above option. Elected members who had not yet taken their official oath were administered the pledge directly before casting their ballots. Across Alwar district, nine other urban bodies are electing leaders, following unopposed results already logged in Khedli and Govindgarh.
Pali Municipal Corporation presents a triangular contest among 65 voting councillors. Congress secured 29 seats, BJP clinched 21, and unaligned independents claimed 15. The mayoral fray features Namita Bubakiya from the BJP, Sumitra Jain from Congress, and rebel Congress independent candidate Rajbala Hingad. All three contenders have asserted claims to forming the municipal board, placing intense focus on how the 15 independent members vote.
Ajmer Municipal Corporation also features an open contest with no absolute party majority. The 80-seat house includes 37 Congress councillors, 32 from the BJP, and 11 independents. While Congress maintains that five independents support its bid, the BJP continues to assert its ability to form the governing board. City authorities restricted outside visitor entry at the municipal office to ensure orderly voting.
Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota Scheduled for September 25
The state's three largest urban centres, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota, will not decide their mayors on Monday. Because re-polling was necessitated in certain municipal wards, the state election schedule shifted the mayoral elections in these three cities to September 25. The Suket municipality will also conduct its presidential election on the same day following ward re-polls.
In the 150 wards of Jaipur Municipal Corporation, the BJP holds 78 seats, Congress has 57, and independents hold 15. The BJP has named Sunil Kothari as its mayoral nominee, while Congress is backing Sunita Mawar. Jodhpur features a tight balance, with BJP holding 45 seats, Congress at 44, and independents taking 10. In Kota Municipal Corporation, the BJP has 57 members, Congress controls 39, and four seats belong to independents.
Thirty-Two Unopposed Victories and Two Women Mayors
According to state election authority records, 32 urban body presidential positions were settled without the need for voting on Monday. The BJP secured 28 of these unopposed positions, while Congress won two, and BJP-supported independents took the remaining two.
Significantly, the mayoral posts in both Bharatpur Municipal Corporation and Bhilwara Municipal Corporation were claimed unopposed by women candidates. Anuradha secured the mayoral chair in Bharatpur, while Jaswant Kanwar emerged victorious as mayor in Bhilwara. Similar unopposed outcomes occurred in several municipal councils and town municipalities across Rajasthan.
Voting Across Kota, Rajsamand, and Jhalawar Districts
In Kota district, councillors are electing municipal presidents in Sangod, Sultanpur, Itawa, and Ramganjmandi. While the BJP's absolute majority in Ramganjmandi makes the outcome straightforward, Itawa presents a divided house where independent councillors occupy kingmaker roles.
Rajsamand district is conducting elections across five urban bodies between 10 am and 2 pm, where direct head-to-head competitions between the BJP and Congress will determine council presidents and chairpersons.
In Jhalawar district, eight urban bodies are deciding their chairpersons. Party strength is largely distinct across seven of them: Congress holds majorities in Jhalawar, Dag, Khanpur, and Bhawanimandi, while the BJP commands majorities in Jhalrapatan, Aklera, and Manoharthana. In Pidawa municipality, however, neither party holds a majority, elevating the Aam Aadmi Party into a decisive position.
Tribal Region Contests in Dungarpur District
Elections are underway in Dungarpur Municipal Council and Sagwara Municipality. In Dungarpur, Sushila Gupta of the BJP faces Bharat Nagda of Congress across 40 ward seats. The council composition includes 24 BJP members, 12 Congress members, three from the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP), and one BJP rebel independent.
In Sagwara, polling is being conducted at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate office between Asha Patidar of the BJP and Bhumika Panchal of Congress. The 35-seat body comprises 23 BJP councillors, eight Congress members, and four from the BAP.
Karauli, Jhunjhunu, Jaisalmer, and Hanumangarh Dynamics
In Karauli district, while Hindaun Municipal Council saw an unopposed election, voting is proceeding in Karauli Municipal Council, Sapotra, Mandrayal, Todabhim, and Suroth. In Karauli council, 55 members are voting, where Congress with 28 seats and BJP with 11 seats have nominated Sunil Saini and Virendra Sharma respectively, alongside 15 independent members. In Sapotra, BJP candidate Sapna faces Congress nominee Kavita in a 20-seat municipality where BJP commands 15 seats.
In Jhunjhunu district, 530 ward councillors are voting across 18 urban bodies. Local political discussions grew heated ahead of the vote when the local tehsildar served a three-day encroachment notice to Congress councillor Suman Khan, cautioning that unilateral action would follow if no response was submitted.
In Jaisalmer, 45 council members are picking a council chief, while 25 councillors in Pokhran are voting in the municipality hall. In Hanumangarh, independent councillors arrived by train under the leadership of former council president Sumit Rinwa in support of legislator Ganesharaj Bansal, raising complaints regarding administrative conduct and concerns over voting access. Across all participating centres, ballot counting will immediately follow the conclusion of voting to finalize local leadership.
