BJP ahead in Zila Parishads, Congress keeping up in panchayats

JAIPUR: BJP today bagged majority in seven out of 33 Zila Parishads, while Congress won four and was running neck and neck in Panchayat Samities in Rajasthan local body polls, the first major electoral test in the state after the saffron party swept the Lok Sabha election last May.

Ruling BJP won 159 and Congress won 106 out of 1,014 Zila Parishad wards in the results announced so far by the Election Commission after the counting of votes began at 8 AM.

Out of 6,236 seats in 295 Panchayat Samitis, BJP won 753, Congress 630, Independents 98 and BSP three seats, a spokesman of the state Election Commission said.

BJP has got majority in seven Zila Parishads of Chittorgarh, Baran, Jhalawar, Rajsamand, Tonk, Pratapgarh, and Sirohi.

Congress has won majority in Kota, Sawaimadhopur, Jaisalmer and Bundi.

Initial trends showed that ruling BJP is leading in Zila Parishads, while opposition Congress was close behind it in Panchayat Samiti results.

The elections were held to elect 1,014 ward members of 33 Zila Parishad and 6,236 members of 295 Panchayat Samiti in three phases.

It was the first major electoral test for the parties after the Lok Sabha elections eight months ago when BJP had won all 25 seats. In bypolls held in September last year, BJP had lost three out of four Assembly seats.

The local body polls were mired in controversy as Rajathan government had issued an ordinance fixing educational qualifications for candidates just days before the poll schedule was announced.

Petitions were filed challenging the ordinance promulgated on December 20, 2014 on the ground that it would take away the rights of the people, particularly of women as in many segments a majority of them have no education.

The Supreme Court had on January 5 refused to entertain petitions challenging the ordinance, saying the High Court was the forum for addressing these issues.

The High Court too refused to interfere with the ordinance saying the poll process is already on.