Jaipur: Congress and BJP traded allegations of electoral malpractice during the second and final phase of Rajasthan’s urban local body polls Friday, with both parties approaching the State Election Commission with complaints.Congress alleged that several voters in Jaipur, particularly in minority-dominated areas, were unable to cast their votes despite carrying valid voter ID cards, citing discrepancies in electoral rolls. PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra monitored complaints from the party’s war room and spoke to district magistrates.“Serious complaints are coming in, from stopping our polling agents from entering booths to preventing valid voters from casting their votes. There are also complaints of BJP workers influencing voters near polling booths. We have video evidence of this,” Dotasra said.In a direct allegation against cabinet minister Sanjay Sharma, Congress leader Tikaram Jully alleged that the forest department’s enforcement team was sent to the camp housing Congress councillors, accusing the BJP govt of using state machinery to pressure them ahead of the Sept 21 civic polls.Adarsh Nagar MLA Rafeek Khan cited incidents in Jaipur. He said voting at a booth in Ward 106 at Govt Upper Primary School near Gutya Hanuman temple in Purani Basti was suspended for around 30 minutes due to an EVM problem. A replacement machine was brought in later, he said, adding that several voters left without voting.Khan also alleged a clash between supporters of candidates at a polling booth at Kesariyon Ki Dharamshala in Ward 114. He further claimed that a BJP candidate from Ward 27 was seen holding the feet of an elderly voter.BJP, meanwhile, complained to Jaipur district election officer alleging violation of the model code of conduct at a booth in Ward 82. BJP state spokesperson Somnath Saraswat alleged polling personnel were seen touching the feet of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot while he was casting his vote.Congress later clarified that the man seen touching the elderly voter’s feet was its polling agent, not a govt official or polling staffer. The clarification came after BJP alleged a polling violation.Polling was held across 147 urban local bodies in the final phase. Results will be declared on Sept 14, after which elections for mayors and chairpersons will be held on Sept 21.
