Rajasthan civic board fights widen in Sirohi, Ajmer
Political tensions are rising across Rajasthan’s civic bodies as the fight to form municipal boards in Sirohi, Ajmer, Bundi and Bikaner turns into a contest over nominations, party discipline and councillor loyalties.
The sharpest flashpoint is Sirohi, where Congress says its candidate Ritu Jain has the backing of 23 of 35 councillors plus one independent and alleges the BJP is trying to block her nomination ahead of the chairman vote. The party has called a protest at the district collectorate, while the administration and police have been put on alert, underscoring how closely the outcome is tied to control of the local civic body.
Ajmer has seen similar friction, with BJP mayoral candidate Anamika Sharma objecting to Congress nominee Kiran Garhwal’s papers over alleged discrepancies and an unpaid NOC. The dispute brought party workers to the municipal complex and prompted a heavy police deployment, highlighting how even the scrutiny stage is being used to gain leverage before the board is formed.
In Bundi, both parties have locked in their chairman picks, with the BJP fielding Bharat Sharma and Congress nominating Tikkam Jain in Lakheri and the wider municipal fight. That has sharpened the scramble for councillor support, as the eventual balance of power will determine whether either side can assemble a working majority.
Bikaner has become a different kind of political signal, with Congress putting its winning councillors in a resort “barricade” to prevent defections and project unity after the election results. The appearance of councillors relaxing together on video has fed speculation that the party is trying to shore up support amid a broader damage-control effort before the board is finalized.
The stakes go beyond municipal offices. These contests shape control over local spending, appointments and development priorities, and they also reveal how fragile party alignments remain after the vote. Any sign of nomination rejection, defections or forced consolidation could alter which side controls the civic boards and how stable those administrations prove once in office.
| Entity | Gains | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Congress in Sirohi | ▲Control if nominee survives scrutiny | ▼If Ritu Jain’s nomination is rejected |
| BJP in Ajmer | ▲Leverage from objection process | ▼If challenge to Kiran Garhwal fails |
| Congress in Bikaner | ▲Displays unity and discipline | ▼Risks exposure if councillors break ranks |
| Municipal administrations | ▲Clearer board formation if disputes end | ▼Pressure from protests, police deployment |