Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Congress Moves Councillors to Bengaluru Before Ajmer Mayor Election
Ajmer will choose a new mayor on September 21.
Congress won 37 council seats, while the BJP won 32.
Independent candidates won 11 seats.
A candidate needs 41 votes to win, so Independent councillors may decide the result.
Congress says five Independents support its candidate.
It moved 37 Congress councillors and five Independents to Bengaluru to keep its group together.
Former RTDC chairman Dharmendra Rathore is leading the group.
Congress candidate Kiran Garhwal will face BJP candidate Anamika Sharma.
Congress says it feared pressure on its councillors, but that allegation has not been independently confirmed.
Congress has moved 37 councillors and five Independents to Bengaluru before Ajmer’s September 21 mayoral election.
Former RTDC chairman Dharmendra Rathore is leading the group, which is expected to return on September 20.
Ajmer’s 80 wards were divided among Congress with 37 seats, BJP with 32, and Independents with 11.
Congress candidate Kiran Garhwal and BJP candidate Anamika Sharma have filed nominations for the mayoral contest.
Congress says the relocation was prompted by concerns about alleged pressure, while both parties seek Independent support.
- Who
- The Congress, BJP, 80 Ajmer municipal councillors, Dharmendra Rathore, Kiran Garhwal, and Anamika Sharma are involved.
- What
- Congress has moved 37 of its councillors and five Independent councillors to Bengaluru before the Ajmer mayoral election.
- When
- The election is scheduled for September 21; the councillors are expected to return on September 20, and the result is expected the same day.
- Where
- The councillors were moved from Ajmer, after initially being kept in Pushkar, to Bengaluru.
- Why
- Congress says the move is intended to keep its camp united amid concerns about alleged pressure on its councillors.
Congress position
BJP position
Councillor relocation
Congress position
Congress says moving its councillors to Bengaluru will keep its camp united and protect them from alleged pressure.
BJP position
The BJP’s response to the relocation allegations is not stated; it is seeking support from Independent councillors.
Independent support
Congress position
Congress claims that five Independent councillors support its mayoral candidate, Kiran Garhwal.
BJP position
The BJP is also working to consolidate support from Independent councillors before the vote.
Mayoral priorities
Congress position
Kiran Garhwal has identified women’s safety, better facilities and sports grounds for young people, and an Ajmer development action plan as priorities.
BJP position
Anamika Sharma has been nominated by the BJP, but the articles do not state her policy priorities.
- Election date
- September 21
- Total wards
- 80
- Seat distribution
- Congress 37, BJP 32, Independents 11
- Majority mark
- 41 votes
- Bengaluru group
- 37 Congress councillors and five Independent councillors
- Congress candidate
- Kiran Garhwal, councillor from Ward 57
- BJP candidate
- Anamika Sharma, councillor from Ward 3
