Ajmer: The elections to the Ajmer Municipal Corporation (AMC) are set to test the political equations of both BJP and Congress, with rebels from both parties contesting and potentially cutting into official vote banks. A total of 360 candidates are in the fray for 80 municipal wards, with voting scheduled for Friday.BJP has fielded candidates in 79 wards after one nomination was cancelled, while Congress has put up 77 candidates—leaving two wards open for BJP rebels and facing cancellation of one nomination. The rebellion factor has been significant enough for Congress to expel 41 members and BJP to expel six members for six years.Campaigning peaked Wednesday with roadshows across Ajmer, featuring banners, flags, drums and dancing supporters. BJP deployed senior leadership, with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma holding a roadshow in Ajmer, while ministers and MLAs campaigned across wards. Water Resources minister Suresh Singh Rawat led a roadshow in Pushkar.Congress candidates, however, have largely been left to campaign without prominent state-level politicians and without full backing from local party workers. Several local Congress figures are focused on campaigning for relatives contesting as independents.Independent candidates have mounted visible campaigns this time, staging roadshows like those of the main parties and mobilising supporters across multiple wards.Ward 4 has emerged as a key battleground, where the wife of a former AMC mayor is contesting as an independent after rebelling, with Congress extending support to her. BJP is making a strong push in the ward, viewing a victory there as a signal that the party’s ticket remains decisive despite defections.In terms of women candidates, BJP has fielded 36 and Congress 34. With formal campaigning ending Wednesday evening, candidates have shifted to door-to-door outreach, community meetings and social media mobilisation ahead of polling day.
