Ajmer: Despite trailing
Congress in ward seats in the Ajmer Municipal Corporation (AMC),
BJP won the city’s mayoral election Monday, extending its 36-year run in power and forming the civic body’s governing board for the eighth time.
The municipal election results declared on Sept 14 had shown Congress party emerging as the largest party with 37 seats, just four short of the majority threshold of 41. However, in the mayoral election, Congress candidate Kiran Gadwal received only 37 votes, despite claims of support from seven independent councillors. Conversely, BJP’s mayoral candidate Anamika Sharma garnered 43 votes, suggesting that either all 11 independents sided with BJP or some Congress members also crossed party lines to vote for the ruling party.
The atmosphere in the morning was charged with enthusiasm from Congress supporters as they chanted slogans in anticipation of victory. A bus filled with Congress councillors reached AMC, showcasing their unity with coordinated attire. Kiran Gadwal came separately and remained in her vehicle, alongside independent candidate Sofia Qureshi.
Later, BJP councillors entered AMC premises via a bus, casting their votes before a count was conducted post-2 pm. Once the results were announced, Congress supporters quickly dispersed, while BJP members erupted in celebration, marking their victory with drums and fireworks.
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Anamika Sharma, after being declared victorious, said, “I am happy that councillors trusted BJP. This is a victory for all of us.” Sharma comes from a political family; her father-in-law Sita Ram Sharma is a veteran BJP worker and is also stated to be close to Ajmer North MLA Vasudev Devnani.BJP councillor Anish Moyal said, “People have faith in us, and because of BJP govt’s development works in Rajasthan, councillors voted to form BJP board in AMC.”In contrast, the Congress faction expressed disappointment with its inability to secure the necessary independents, particularly after isolating them in Bengaluru for days before Monday’s polling. Congress city president Rajkumar Jaipal said, “We will examine where we lacked in our efforts and discuss it within the party.” Fellow councillor Shahi Ghrewal added, “All Congress councillors were united, but we cannot say what was going on in others’ minds or in the minds of the independents.”
