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Rajasthan Civic Election Results Show BJP-Congress Competition
As vote counting for Rajasthan’s urban local body elections began on Monday, early trends began emerging from several major cities. Bharatiya Janata Party is maintaining lead in Jaipur, Udaipur and Kota, while Congress is leading in Jodhpur and Pali Municipal Corporation. However, counting of votes is still going on and the picture may change further.
These elections are being considered important for the urban politics of Rajasthan. Voting was held for councillor posts in 309 urban local bodies in the state, including 10 municipal corporations, 51 municipal councils and 248 municipalities.
Both BJP and Congress are keeping an eye on the election results as these results can indicate the ground situation of both the parties in the state ahead of the 2028 assembly elections. Many senior leaders of both the parties, including Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, played an active role in the election campaign.
BJP dominates in Jaipur, Udaipur, and Kota
Initial trends have shown the BJP leading in several major urban centers across Rajasthan. Apart from the capital Jaipur, the party candidates are also seen getting an initial lead in Udaipur and Kota.
The results of Jaipur are being closely watched as it has a large number of wards and the city’s politics also impacts the broader urban politics of the state. In the initial results, BJP has taken lead over Congress.
In Udaipur too, the initial results have been in favour of BJP. However, the final position of any party will be clear only after the counting of votes in all the wards is completed. Therefore, the current growth cannot be considered the final result.
Congress takes lead in Jodhpur and Pali
While the BJP is ahead in Jaipur, Udaipur, and Kota, the Congress has taken an early lead in the Jodhpur and Pali municipal corporations. Due to this, instead of the electoral contest being one-sided, it is showing different pictures in many big cities.
Jodhpur is considered important for the Congress. The party’s performance here could indicate the state of its organisation and leaders at the local level.
Congress has also taken an early lead in Pali. However, results of many wards are yet to come during the counting of votes. Therefore, the difference in seats between the two major parties may change by the time the final picture emerges.
Counting of votes for 10,245 councillor positions concluded
Elections were held for a total of 10,245 councillor positions across 309 urban local bodies in Rajasthan. A large number of candidates were in the fray in these elections and voting was held in different phases.
The first phase of voting took place on September 9, in which 76.42 percent voting was recorded. The second phase of voting took place on September 11 and around 70.68 percent voters exercised their franchise.
More than 1 crore 44 lakh voters were eligible to vote in these elections. The participation of a large number of voters has made these civic elections important in terms of state politics.
The fate of 18,266 candidates will be decided.
A total of 18,266 candidates contested the Rajasthan urban body elections. After the voting, the electoral fate of these candidates is being decided with the counting of votes.
In many wards, there was a direct contest between BJP and Congress, while in some places independent candidates also made the contest interesting. The impact of local issues and personal influence of candidates can also be seen on many seats.
With the election results out, it will also become clear whether the performance of major parties is limited to big cities only or any major changes are seen in smaller municipal bodies also.
Results considered crucial ahead of the 2028 assembly elections
These Rajasthan civic elections are being considered a crucial political test for the BJP and Congress ahead of the 2028 assembly elections. These results can give an indication of which party gets more support from voters in urban areas.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma campaigned for the BJP, while on behalf of the Congress, many senior leaders including former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot campaigned in support of the party candidates.
Although civic elections and assembly elections are fought on different issues, these results will give both the parties an opportunity to assess their organisation and strategy. The public’s attitude, especially in cities, will be important for both parties.
The picture will become clearer after the vote count is complete.
Currently, a different picture is being seen between the BJP and Congress in major cities of Rajasthan. BJP is leading in Jaipur, Udaipur and Kota, while Congress is ahead in Jodhpur and Pali.
Counting of votes is still going on and results of many wards are yet to come. In such a situation, it would be hasty to decide the final victory or defeat of any party on the basis of initial trends.
Only after the complete counting of votes will it be clear which party got how much political benefit in 309 urban bodies. At present, Rajasthan’s eyes are fixed on the results coming out ward-by-ward.
