AJMER: As the clock ticks down to the crucial mayoral elections on Sept 21, political manoeuvring to control Ajmer Municipal Corporation (AMC) has intensified with Congress asserting it has garnered the backing of five independent councillors. The announcement was made Tuesday with Congress releasing photographs showcasing independent candidates in solidarity with Ajmer Congress city president Rajkumar Jaipal.In the 80-member corporation, where Congress has secured 37 wards and BJP 32, the presence of 11 independent councillors has turned the outcome into a closely contested triangular race. A majority requires at least 41 votes, setting the stage for a tightly fought election.Amid these developments, BJP has chosen to remain tight-lipped, instructing its members not to engage with the media until after the AMC board is officially formed.Both parties are gearing up to submit their nominations for the mayoral post Wednesday, which marks the last day for filing.With the election date fast approaching, sources indicate that both Congress and BJP have sequestered their newly elected councillors in “secure” locations, preventing them from using mobile phones during this critical period. Within BJP, discussions are reportedly ongoing concerning their candidate for mayor, with indications that the party aims to nominate a woman from the general category, as this year the mayoral seat is reserved for such a candidate.Congress is also finalising its strategy, with senior member Dharmendra Rathore noting that the decision on their candidate will rest with Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra. Rathore expressed confidence in Congress’s ability to form the AMC board, alleging that BJP is resorting to “horse-trading.” He underscored that the AMC results declared Monday reflect a growing public dissatisfaction with the BJP-led state govt, suggesting a shift in voter support towards Congress in Ajmer.
