Jaipur: The results of the Rajasthan Urban Local Body Elections 2026 have delivered a mixed political verdict, with the BJP maintaining an overall edge while the Congress making significant gains in several key areas.
The biggest surprise has come from Jhalawar, widely regarded as a stronghold of former Rajasthan Chief Minister and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje. The Congress has secured a decisive victory in the Jhalawar Municipal Council, winning 29 of the 45 wards, dealing a major setback to the BJP in its traditional political bastion.
The Congress has also performed strongly in Sikar, where the party secured a significant number of wards. The results have provided a boost to the Congress organisation in several parts of the state, despite the BJP maintaining a broader lead across Rajasthan's urban local bodies.
The elections covered 309 urban local bodies, including municipal corporations, municipal councils and municipalities. More than 1.44 crore voters were eligible to cast their ballots, while the second phase recorded a turnout of 70.68 per cent.
The BJP's overall performance has remained stronger, with the party leading in several major urban centres. However, Congress victories in places such as Jhalawar and Sikar have added a new political dimension to the results and demonstrated that the ruling party faces a competitive challenge in several pockets.
Independents are also emerging as an important factor in a number of urban bodies. Where neither BJP nor Congress has secured a clear majority, independent councillors could play a crucial role in determining who forms the municipal boards.
The Rajasthan civic poll verdict is being closely watched ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections, with the results offering both parties important signals about their urban support bases and organisational strength.
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