Cong wins Raj municipal polls after close contest with BJP

KOTA : The Congress on Sunday won municipal polls held in 20 districts of Rajasthan in a neckand-neck contest with the BJP.

Out of total 3,034 municipal wards, Congress won 1,197, BJP 1,140 and independents and others 634, according to results announced by the state election commission. NCP won 46 wards, RLP 1, CPM 3 and BSP 1.

Elections were held for 3035 municipal wards of the 90 municipal bodies, including a municipal corporation, 9 municipal councils and 80 municipalities.

The BJP won a majority in Ajmer municipal corporation.

The Congress has maintained its winning spree in the municipal polls after ensuring lead over the BJP in the civic polls held in November and December 2020. The Congress had lagged behind BJP in the panchayat polls.

The NCP won an absolute majority in Nokha municipality of Bikaner and emerged as the biggest party in Tonk’s Niwai municipality. The NCP will form municipal boards in Rajasthan for the first time.

CM Ashok Gehlot tweeted, “The results of 90 municipal bodies are pleasant. Congratulations to all the winning Congress candidates and Congress leaders for ensuring victory of the party. I also express gratitude to the voters . ... Congress will be able to form its municipal boards at most places”.

BJP state president Satish Poonia said, “Municipal polls have once again proved that Congress is a a sinking ship as people have reposed their faith in the BJP in municipal polls”.