Congress recovers in Rajasthan with impressive win in civic bodies polls

JAIPUR: The Congress made an impressive recovery in Rajasthan yesterday by giving a tough fight to the BJP and narrowing the gap in the local bodies elections. While the BJP managed to maintain its lead, it's the Congress which is the real gainer, because the results show that it has recovered from its complete rout in the 2014 Lok Sabha and municipal elections.

Of the state's 33 zila parishads, the BJP won 11, but the Congress was not too far behind, leading in 8 zila parishads. The Congress was running neck and neck with the BJP in a majority of the total 295 panchayat samitis.

"In the seven months since the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has lost 9% votes while the Congress has gained 15% votes. This is a big mandate for the Congress from the people of Rajasthan," Congress state president Sachin Pilot told newsmen.

Initial results showed the BJP won Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Sirohi, Tonk, Baran and Jhalawar zila parishads, while the Congress won in Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur and Jaisalmer. Of the total 1,014 seats in 33 zila parishads, the BJP won 174 seats and the Congress 144.

Congress performance was impressive in the panchayat samitis, too. Of the total 6,236 seats, the BJP won 982, and the Congress 766 seats. While independents won 131 seats, the BSP took 6 seats. The counting of votes began at 8 am and was on at the time of going to press.

The elections were mired in controversy with the Rajasthan government barring several aspirants from contesting by issuing an ordinance fixing educational qualifications for candidates just days before the poll schedule was announced.

Soon after the ordinance was promulgated on December 20, 2014, petitions were filed challenging it on the ground that it curbed the rights of many people, particularly women in many communities, who had little or no education.

However, the Supreme Court refused to entertain petitions challenging the ordinance, saying the Rajasthan High Court was the forum for addressing these issues. The High Court, too, refused to interfere, saying the poll process was already on.