Jaipur: Former mayor Jyoti Khandelwal faced a big setback Monday, as she was defeated by Congress candidate Sunita Methi in JMC ward 110 by a margin of 2,706 votes. Methi’s husband Arvind Methi was a councillor in the now defunct JMC Heritage.Khandelwal, who previously served as Jaipur mayor in 2009 on a Congress ticket, transitioned to BJP shortly before the 2023 state elections but faced disappointment when she was denied a ticket for both the assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.The outcome in ward 110 is viewed as particularly noteworthy given Khandelwal’s political background and prominence within local politics. BJP decided to field her for the municipal election, but her latest loss raises questions about her future within the party and the political landscape of Jaipur.Reacting to the election result, Khandelwal said, “This was the people’s decision. They chose the person they felt was right. But I am always there for my people. I will fulfil whatever responsibility the party gives me.”Methi, on the other hand, said, “The big moment has come with a big responsibility. People had expectations from my husband during his tenure, and they will now have the same expectations from me. I will do my best to fulfil these. Once I take charge at the corporation, resolving sanitation and road-related issues in my ward will be my responsibility.”Ward 110 was among the closely watched contests in the 150-ward JMC election because of Khandelwal’s political background.
