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Rajasthan’s 309 Civic Bodies Face High-Stakes Joint Polls
Rajasthan will hold elections for all 309 of its urban local governments at nearly the same time.
Voting will happen on September 9 and September 11, with results counted on September 14.
These elections cover more than 10,000 local wards and about 1.4 crore voters.
The BJP and Congress are competing to win control of city and town governments.
The results will show whether people are happy with the BJP-led state government.
They will also show whether the Congress is becoming stronger again.
Many young people are voting, so both parties have selected more young candidates.
The parties are also using social media to reach younger voters.
That is why a local election is being treated as an important test of Rajasthan’s wider political mood.
Elections for 309 urban local bodies, covering 10,245 wards and about 1.4 crore voters, will be held in two phases on September 9 and 11.
The Jaipur Municipal Corporation will vote in the second phase, while 18 other urban local bodies in Jaipur district will vote in the first; counting is scheduled for September 14.
The statewide contest is a mid-term test for Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and the BJP government, as well as a test of the Congress’s ability to regain ground.
Voters under 35 account for about 40.1% of the electorate, and roughly half of the BJP and Congress candidates are aged 40 or below.
Both parties are targeting young voters through younger candidates and digital campaigns, but senior Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot have largely stayed away from campaigning.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (Congress), their candidates, and Rajasthan’s urban voters.
- What
- Elections are being held for 309 urban local bodies, covering 10,245 wards.
- Where
- Across Rajasthan’s urban local bodies; the Jaipur Municipal Corporation votes in the second phase, while 18 other urban local bodies in Jaipur district vote in the first.
- When
- Voting is scheduled for September 9 and September 11, with counting on September 14.
- Why
- The elections will assess the BJP government’s popularity, the Congress’s ability to regain support, and the influence of younger voters after the Jantar Mantar protests.
BJP Perspective
Congress Perspective
Political test
BJP Perspective
The BJP views the election as an opportunity to demonstrate the popularity of the Bhajan Lal Sharma government and the strength of its organisation among urban voters.
Congress Perspective
The Congress sees the election as a chance to regain lost ground and determine whether anti-incumbency against the BJP government can translate into votes.
Youth outreach
BJP Perspective
The BJP has fielded about 51% candidates aged 40 or below and is using younger candidates and social media to appeal to young voters.
Congress Perspective
The Congress has fielded about 49% candidates aged 40 or below and launched its "GEN ZEE FOR CHANGE" campaign through young professionals and digital platforms.
Campaign leadership
BJP Perspective
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and several senior central leaders and ministers have actively campaigned across the state.
Congress Perspective
Senior Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot have largely stayed away from the campaign, leaving much of the effort to local leaders and party MLAs.
Key facts
- Urban local bodies
- 309
- Wards
- 10,245
- Electorate
- About 1.4 crore voters
- Voting dates
- September 9 and September 11
- Counting date
- September 14
- Voters under 35
- About 40.1% of the electorate
- Young candidates
- About 51% for the BJP and 49% for the Congress
Quotes
Saraswati Prajapat
Twenty-one-year-old Congress candidate from Ward No. 51 in Jhalamand, Jodhpur.
“I thought I must begin with myself if I wanted to talk about change. Why talk about the MP and the MLA? We too can change things, especially here on the ground. My team and I know best what is required”
NDTV
“I will continue preparing for the IAS exams, but I thought I must use this opportunity of this seat being reserved for a woman candidate.”
NDTV
Sources
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