THE results of elections to 309 urban local bodies in Rajasthan indicate a closely contested political scenario, with no single party securing a clear majority in a large number of bodies. According to available figures, BJP secured 35.3 per cent, Congress 34.36 per cent and independent candidates got 27.47 per cent of the polled votes. Among other parties, RLP secured 0.95 per cent, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) 0.47 per cent, CPI(M) 0.32 per cent, BSP 0.29 per cent and BAP 0.17 per cent of the votes.

Of the 309 urban local bodies, around 145 did not give any single party a clear majority. The BJP secured a majority in 85 bodies, while the Congress secured a majority in 45. The picture is clear in 164 urban local bodies, while in the remaining five municipal corporations, 18 municipal councils and 122 municipalities, smaller parties and independent councilors are set to play a decisive role in the formation of boards.

CPI(M) FORMS BOARD IN NOKHA FOR THE FIRST TIME

For the first time in Rajasthan, the CPI(M) has succeeded in forming the board of the Nokha Municipality. The Aam Aadmi Party has also formed a board for the first time in the Baran Municipality.

The CPI(M) fielded 185 candidates across the state, of whom 38 were elected as councilors. In Nokha, the party won 29 of the 45 wards, enabling it to form the municipal board.

The party secured a total of 34,170 votes across the state, accounting for 0.32 per cent of the total votes polled.

MIXED RESULTS IN MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS

The results in the state's 10 municipal corporations also presented a mixed picture. Out of a total of 854 wards, the BJP won 402, the Congress 305 and independent candidates 138. The BJP secured clear majorities in the Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur and Bhilwara municipal corporations, while the Congress secured a clear majority in Bikaner.

In Jodhpur, the BJP and Congress won 44 wards each. Independent councilors emerged as a significant force in Bharatpur. In Alwar, the BJP was ahead but remained short of a majority, making the role of independent councilors important there as well.

Across all 10,245 wards in all urban local bodies, the BJP won 4,179, the Congress 3,613, while independent candidates and other parties won 2,443 wards.

RE-POLLING IN NINE WARDS

Results for nine wards could not be declared due to technical problems with electronic voting machines during counting. Re-polling in these wards was held on September 15.

Consequently, the elections for mayor and deputy mayor in the Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota municipal corporations, as well as the elections for chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Suket Municipality, have been postponed.

According to the State Election Commission, the nomination process for chairperson posts in other urban local bodies will begin as per the scheduled programme.

CPI(M) STATE SECRETARY SAYS GRASSROOTS WORK LED TO SUPPORT

Reacting to the formation of the CPI(M) board in Nokha Municipality, Rajasthan CPI(M) State Secretary Comrade Kishan Pareek said the party and its mass organisations had consistently taken up the economic and social problems of workers, farmers and working people and had led struggles against the alleged repression of the state machinery and neglect of people's issues.

He said the party and its organisations had worked on the ground, raised people's issues and sought relief for those affected by various problems. According to Pareek, the party's organisational presence and sustained public activity in areas where it was active had helped it receive people's support.

Pareek said the formation of the CPI(M) board in Nokha was primarily the result of the party's organisational work and its engagement with people at the grassroots level. He added that although the party did not field candidates in every ward in other urban local bodies, it received support in areas where its organisation remained active.

He said the election of 38 CPI(M) councillors for the first time in the state represented an important development for the party. He thanked the people of Rajasthan for placing their trust in the party's candidates and said the CPI(M) would work to live up to that trust and further strengthen its organisation and reach among the people.

Pareek also alleged that the CPI(M) and its mass organisations had consistently opposed what he described as the "RSS-BJP's politics of intimidation and hate". He said party workers and leaders had taken to the streets whenever incidents involving caste, religion or violence against women were reported, and had raised people's concerns through protests as well as before Parliament and the appropriate authorities.