Jodhpur: BJP appears to have secured a majority in the 100-member Jodhpur Municipal Corporation after it claimed support from seven independent councillors, taking its numerical strength from 45 to 52 and clearing the way to form the governing board ahead of the mayoral election on Sept 25.The saffron party won 45 wards after its candidate won ward 50 in a repoll Thursday. With the majority mark at 51, the backing of seven independents can push the party past the halfway point.BJP office-bearers said the independents who have extended support to the party are Vishal Sankhla (ward 5), Dinesh Sharma (ward 19), Chetan Gehlot (ward 20), Mohan Ram Choudhary (ward 47), Durga Mewara (ward 48), Nirmala Nayak (ward 76) and Swaroop Singh (ward 81).The urban local body’s initial results produced a 44-44 tie between BJP and Congress, with 10 independents and one RLP councillor holding the balance. After BJP’s ward 50 win in a repoll, both parties sought independent support. BJP state general secretary Bhupendra Saini said the independents voluntarily expressed interest in backing the party’s mayoral contest.The political developments are being closely watched as a test of influence between Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, as Jodhpur is the political turf of both. Sources said the two politicians spent three days trying to win over independents, with BJP seen as having an advantage for being in govt and offering greater support for development work.Congress alleged BJP used pressure and inducements to secure support, while BJP denied the allegation.
