BJP wins six of seven mayoral polls in Rajasthan; Congress cries foul

Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra said the senior party leaders were subjected to ‘coercive police action and abusive behaviour’. File | Photo Credit: PTI

After emerging as the largest party in the urban local body elections held recently, the rulingBharatiya Janata Party in Rajasthan on Monday (September 21, 2026) won the mayoral contests in six of the seven major Municipal Corporations. The BJP secured the mayoral posts in Ajmer and Pali despite the Congress securing more seats of councillors in both the towns.

The BJP defeated the Congress in Alwar, Udaipur, Pali and Ajmer, while its candidates were elected unopposed in Bharatpur and Bhilwara. The only consolation for Congress came in Bikaner, where it retained the mayoral post with the election of Anil Kalla.

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Of the 309 urban bodies in Rajasthan, elections to the top posts were held in 273 on Monday (September 21). Chairpersons were earlier elected unopposed in some other bodies, while elections in the Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota Municipal Corporations and Kota district’s Suket municipality will be held on September 25.

Even as the BJP strengthened its position in the urban areas, the Opposition Congress accused the State government of misusing the police and administration to ensure the victory of the ruling party’s candidates. Pradesh Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said the senior party leaders were subjected to “coercive police action and abusive behaviour”.