BJP Wins Six of Seven Deputy Mayor Seats in Rajasthan

The Bharatiya Janata Party won deputy mayor seats in six of seven municipal corporations in Rajasthan during elections held on Tuesday. The party secured victories in Bikaner, Ajmer, Udaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, and Bhilwara. In Bikaner, BJP candidate Pankaj Gehlot defeated the Indian National Congress candidate 40-38, despite Congress holding the mayor's post and a majority of councillors. In Ajmer, Hemant Sankhla won after a 40-40 tie with Congress candidate Naurat Gurjar was resolved by a draw of lots.

In Bhilwara, Radheshyam Somani was elected unopposed. The Indian National Congress, supported by an Independent councillor, won the single remaining deputy mayor seat in Pali through a draw of lots following a 29-29 tie. Polling also occurred across 47 municipal councils and 251 municipalities, with early trends showing a BJP lead in most bodies.

BJP leaders credited the results to organizational strength and government policies. However, Rajasthan Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully alleged the process was hijacked through manipulation and inducements. Jully claimed the people of Rajasthan witnessed an assault on democracy and stated that the BJP committed massive irregularities during the chairperson elections.