Archive · 15 Sep 2026
BJP Leads Rajasthan Civic Polls as Independents Challenge Major Parties
Rajasthan held elections for local city governments in September 2026.
The BJP won more wards than Congress across the state.
Independents also won many seats and became especially powerful in some cities.
In Bharatpur, the chief minister’s hometown, Independents won 36 of 65 wards.
The BJP won clear majorities in Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota and Bhilwara.
Congress won a majority in Bikaner and led in Ajmer, Pali and Jhalawar.
Jodhpur ended with the BJP and Congress tied, so Independents may be important there.
The results are being treated as a political test before the 2028 state election.
Mayors and other local leaders are scheduled to be elected later.
The BJP won 4,179 wards statewide, ahead of Congress with 3,613, while Independents secured 2,273.
The BJP won majorities in Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota and Bhilwara, while Congress secured Bikaner.
Independents dominated Bharatpur, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma’s hometown, winning 36 of 65 wards against BJP’s 20 and Congress’s seven.
Congress was the largest party in Ajmer, Pali and Jhalawar, while Jodhpur ended in a 44-44 BJP-Congress tie.
The results are being viewed as a test of the BJP government and Congress ahead of Rajasthan’s 2028 Assembly election.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Independents and smaller parties contested Rajasthan’s urban local body elections.
- What
- The BJP emerged as the largest party statewide, while Congress won some urban centres and Independents became influential in several bodies.
- When
- Polling took place on September 9 and 11, 2026; results were reported on September 14, with mayors and chairpersons scheduled to be elected on September 21.
- Where
- The elections covered 309 urban local bodies across Rajasthan, including Jaipur, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Pali and Jhalawar.
- Why
- The elections were viewed as an important test of the BJP-led state government and Congress ahead of the 2028 Rajasthan Assembly polls.
Congress and Opposition Perspective
BJP and Ruling-Party Perspective
Meaning of the result
Congress and Opposition Perspective
Congress argued that the BJP’s statewide advantage was narrow and that the party remained competitive or dominant in several important urban centres, including Bikaner, Ajmer, Pali and Jhalawar.
BJP and Ruling-Party Perspective
The BJP described the outcome as a historic victory showing public faith in the party, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Reasons for the outcome
Congress and Opposition Perspective
Congress leaders cited factionalism, weak organisation, alleged misuse of government machinery and police, and unfair ward delimitation as factors that hurt the party.
BJP and Ruling-Party Perspective
The BJP credited its statewide campaign, organisational work, public outreach and the involvement of the chief minister, ministers, MPs and Union ministers.
Control of urban bodies
Congress and Opposition Perspective
Congress remained the largest party in several closely contested bodies and alleged that BJP could use pressure or negotiations to attract Independents where no party had a majority.
BJP and Ruling-Party Perspective
The BJP was positioned to form boards in many urban bodies, including through possible support from Independents after securing clear majorities in four corporations.
- Statewide results
- BJP won 4,179 wards, Congress 3,613 and Independents 2,273.
- Election scope
- Polling covered 309 urban local bodies: 10 municipal corporations, 51 municipal councils and 248 municipalities.
- Wards and voters
- Counting covered 10,244 wards and 10,245 councillor positions; more than 1.44 crore people were eligible to vote.
- Major corporation victories
- The BJP won majorities in Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota and Bhilwara; Congress won a majority in Bikaner.
- Bharatpur result
- Independents won 36 of 65 wards, compared with BJP’s 20, Congress’s seven, and one each for BSP and RLP.
- Close contests
- Jodhpur produced a 44-44 tie between BJP and Congress; Congress led without a majority in Ajmer and Pali.
- Other party results
- RLP won 63 wards, AAP 42, CPI(M) 38, BSP 19 and BAP eight.
- Leadership elections
- Mayors and chairpersons were scheduled for September 21, followed by deputy mayors, deputy chairpersons and municipal vice-presidents on September 22.
Sources
Rajasthan Civic Polls Results 2026: Seat details of BJP, Congress, AAP, BAP, BSP, RLP, CPI (M) - Winning and trailing
In Rajasthan civic polls, BJP edges out Congress; Independents win on CM turf
Rajasthan Civic Polls: BJP Edges Past Congress, Independents Steal Show In CM's Hometown
BJP Emerges Ahead Of Congress In Rajasthan's Urban Local Body Polls
Rajasthan local body polls: BJP edges past Congress with more wins; counting underway at many wards