Jodhpur: In a tightly contested mayoral election, BJP emerged victorious as Prasann Chand Mehta was elected mayor of the Jodhpur municipal corporation Friday. Mehta defeated Congress candidate Rajendra Singh Solanki by a margin of six votes, securing 53 votes compared to Solanki’s 47.The 100-member municipal corporation has 45 BJP councillors and 44 from Congress, with 10 independents and one from Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) making up the balance.
BJP’s Prasann Chand Mehta celebrates win with party workers in Jodhpur Friday
Jodhpur serves as the stronghold for prominent politicians like Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot. Congress candidate Solanki is considered close to Gehlot.Prior to the mayoral election, BJP claimed the support of seven independent councillors, projecting its strength to 52, just above the majority mark of 51. Congress also asserted backing from four independents, claiming an adjusted strength of 48. However, the results revealed a different story, with Mehta managing to secure eight votes more than BJP’s official count and Solanki receiving three votes above the Congress tally.The voting process began at 10 am at the municipal corporation office, where both BJP and Congress councillors arrived in buses, facilitating a coordinated effort for their respective parties. Ahead of the polling, seven independent councillors were seen with the BJP camp, while three were spotted with Congress. The RLP councillor reached the polling venue separately.Following the conclusion of voting around 1 pm, the votes were counted, leading to Mehta’s declaration as the victor. Elated supporters hoisted Mehta on their shoulders as they celebrated his win outside the corporation premises.Mehta, hailing from an RSS and long-time BJP organisational worker background, outlined his priorities for the city after being elected mayor, emphasising infrastructure development ahead of the upcoming Diwali festival, particularly the condition of roads. His election marks a significant moment for BJP, which, despite entering the fray with a slender lead, now solidifies its control over the civic body.
