Jaipur: Rajasthan’s six major cities, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer and Pali, will vote on Sept 11 in the second phase of the state’s urban local body elections, with six of the state’s 10 mayors to be elected in this phase. Though the second phase has fewer wards than the first, it has a larger electorate making its outcome significant for both the BJP and Congress. The first phase covered 5,393 wards across 162 urban local bodies, while 4,774 wards will vote in the second phase. It has 87.60 lakh voters and 18,266 candidates. “Ward numbers may be lower in the second phase, but all the major cities are part of it. Its impact is much greater because the voter base is larger. The real mandate of the urban voter will be judged from this phase,” said Jitendra Chaudhary, whose family member is contesting in Jaipur. Jaipur is the biggest contest, with 150 wards, 723 candidates and more than 24.33 lakh voters. As the state capital, its verdict will be watched for urban sentiment. For Congress, the polls offer an opportunity to turn local grievances into gains. Jodhpur, associated with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, is battleground. The result will show whether Congress can retain its influence and BJP make inroads. “It’s a very crucial election. Earlier, the two parties had one corporation each. Now it is a 100-ward contest,” said Bhagirath Singh, a BJP supporter. In Kota, the influence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Congress leader Shanti Dhariwal adds weight to the contest, while BJP leaders Madan Dilawar and Heeralal Nagar are key figures. Udaipur has minister Gautam Dak and MP Mannalal Rawat as prominent BJP faces, while Ajmer has Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, Union minister Bhagirath Choudhary and Congress leader Raghu Sharma. Pali, the smallest of the six corporations, is significant as BJP’s state president Madan Rathore’s political turf. MP PP Chaudhary and BJP leader Gyanchand Parakh are influential. “Urban local bodies have been an important indicator of the BJP’s electoral strength. The first phase largely covered smaller bodies, whereas this phase has the bigger cities. Six of the 10 mayors are to be elected in this phase,” said a BJP leader. Congress worker Kamal Sharma said mayors and municipal chairpersons wield political influence, with several Rajasthan politicians moving on to become MLAs and MPs.
