BJP heads for impressive win in Rajasthan civic body polls
Jaipur, Sep 14 (UNI) The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is heading for an impressive victory in Rajasthan's civic body elections on Monday, with the party poised to secure a comfortable majority in at least seven of the state's 10 municipal corporations and emerge as the single-largest party in a majority of the 309 civic bodies that went to polls in two phases on September 9 and 11.
The BJP's strong performance comes amid an extensive campaign led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who held road shows across the state ahead of the elections.However, the Congress maintained an edge over the BJP in the municipal corporations of Pali, Ajmer and Bikaner as counting of votes continued across 41 districts. In the 150-member Jaipur Municipal Corporation, the BJP put up a commanding performance, winning or establishing an unassailable lead in 103 wards.
The Congress was a distant second with wins or leads in 38 wards, while Independents and other candidates were ahead in six seats. Counting trends for three wards were not available. The contest in the 80-member Ajmer Municipal Corporation remained close where the Congress is leading in 37 wards against the BJP's 32, while Independents and other candidates were ahead in 11 wards.
A similar trend was witnessed in the 80-member Bikaner Municipal Corporation, home town of union Minister Arun Lal Meghwal,where the Congress was ahead in 39 wards compared with the BJP's 24. Independents and other candidates were leading in 10 wards, while trends for seven seats were unavailable.
The 100-member Jodhpur Municipal Corporation, home town of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, also witnessed a tight contest. The BJP and Congress were locked at 44( wins/leads each) while other and Independents won or leading in 11 wards. Counting figures of one ward was unavailable. In the Alwar Municipal Corporation, the hometown of union Minister Bhupender Yadav, the BJP and Congress were locked in a close contest.
The BJP is winning or leading in 28 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 23 seats in the 65-member civic body. Others and Independents has an edge in 14 seats. In Kota Municipal Corporation, the hometown of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the BJP established a more decisive lead, winning or leading in 61 of the 100 seats. The Congress is a distant second with 33 seats, while Independents accounted for six seats. The BJP is also on course to secure a majority and form boards in other municipal corporations, including Pali, Udaipur, Bhilwara and Bharatpur.
The results are significant as they come from 309 civic bodies that went to polls last week. These include 47 municipal councils and 252 municipal committees.Among the 47 municipal councils, the BJP emerged as the largest party in 33, while the Congress led in 13 and Independents in one. Of the 252 municipal committees the BJP is likely to attain majority in 153 bodies, the Congress may form board in 91 and Independents would rule in 8 committees.
