The ruling Congress in Rajasthan has dealt a body blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party by achieving the right to rule in 36 out of 50 urban local bodies (ULB). The formation of governing bodies in the ULB is a significant gain for the Congress after the none-too-impressive performance in the Panchayat polls. Though the Congress secured 0.28 per cent more votes than the BJP in the Panchayat polls, it emerged far ahead in the urban areas.
The elections for the local bodies were held in 12 districts and in 50 small and large municipal bodies where 14.32 lakh voters cast their votes. 29 males and 22 females were elected as chairperson. The Congress won in 619 out of 1775 wards, independents won in 595 wards and the BJP in 549 wards. All other parties fared insignificantly, proving once again that electoral politics in the state is a bi-polar affair with little space for the other political outfits.
Congress managed to get the support of independents to form boards, showing that they favoured and trusted the Congress more than the BJP. There were 43 municipalities and seven municipal councils. In the 2015 elections, the BJP was in power in 34 local bodies and the Congress in only eight. Thus the Congress managed to perform better with the support of the independents.
