Rajasthan civic polls re-polling: Congress sweeps Jaipur wards, BJP set to govern Kota
Synopsis
Congress swept all four re-poll wards in Jaipur while BJP crossed the majority mark in Kota with 57 of 100 seats — setting up board formation there. In Jodhpur, a BJP win by just 83 votes after an EVM malfunction left the corporation in a near-deadlock at 45 BJP versus 44 Congress councillors, making Independents kingmakers.
Key Takeaways
Congress won all four re-poll wards in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation on 17 September 2026 .
BJP now holds 57 of 100 seats in the Kota Municipal Corporation , securing a majority and setting up board formation.
In Jodhpur , BJP candidate Hemaram Choudhary won Ward 50 by 83 votes after a re-poll triggered by an EVM malfunction at booth 338 .
The Jodhpur corporation stands at 45 BJP , 44 Congress , 1 RLP , and 10 Independents — a near-deadlock where smaller players hold sway.
Congress candidate Mohammad Rafiq won Suket Municipality Ward 4 by 117 votes .
The results of re-polling in the Rajasthan civic body elections were declared on 17 September 2026, delivering a split verdict across three major municipalities. Congress swept all four contested wards in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured enough seats in Kota to claim a majority and prepare to form the municipal board.
Jaipur: Congress Claims All Four Re-Poll Wards
The four remaining wards of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation that went to re-polling all returned Congress victors. Kailashi Devi won Ward 9, Bandita Sharma took Ward 18, Rekha Devi prevailed in Ward 25, and Suresh won Ward 34. The clean sweep strengthens Congress's presence in the state capital's civic body.
Kota: BJP Crosses Majority Mark, Board Formation Imminent
In the Kota Municipal Corporation, which has 100 wards, re-polling was held in three wards. Congress candidate Kamlesh Kumari won Ward 11, but BJP candidates Prem Singh and Pushpa Choudhary captured Wards 44 and 87 respectively. With these additions, the BJP now holds 57 councillors — a clear majority in the 100-member body — against Congress's 39 and four Independents. Discussions over the party's mayoral candidate are reportedly underway at the leadership level. In the Suket Municipality, Congress candidate Mohammad Rafiq won Ward 4 by 117 votes.
Jodhpur: BJP Wins Ward 50 After EVM Malfunction Triggered Re-Poll
The result for Ward 50 of the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation was declared following Wednesday's re-poll, necessitated by an EVM malfunction at booth number 338. BJP candidate Hemaram Choudhary defeated Congress candidate Yuvraj Singh by a narrow margin of 83 votes. Choudhary received 1,725 votes while Singh secured 1,642 votes, of which 1,641 were recorded through EVMs and one was a postal ballot. Independent candidate Rinku Mewada finished third with 540 votes, RLP candidate Deepak Jangid received 155 votes, Independent Deshraj Singh got 113 votes, and 82 voters opted for NOTA.
Jodhpur Corporation: A Razor-Thin Battle Between BJP and Congress
Following the Ward 50 result, the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation stands at 45 BJP councillors, 44 Congress councillors, one RLP councillor, and 10 Independents. The near-parity between the two principal parties makes Jodhpur's board formation a closely watched political exercise, with Independents and the RLP councillor potentially holding pivotal influence over who governs the city.
Broader Significance for Rajasthan's Municipal Landscape
The re-polling results collectively underscore a competitive civic political environment across Rajasthan. While the BJP consolidates power in Kota with a comfortable majority, Congress's sweep in Jaipur and its strong showing in Jodhpur signal that urban local body contests remain fiercely contested. This comes amid the broader backdrop of both parties calibrating their civic-level strategies ahead of future state-level elections. The next major political milestone will be the formal board constitution in Kota and the resolution of the hung verdict in Jodhpur.
Point of View
But Jodhpur's one-seat gap between the two parties is a political flashpoint in waiting. The Congress sweep in Jaipur is symbolically significant for the party in a city the BJP considers a stronghold. What is often missed in such civic coverage is that municipal boards control urban infrastructure spending and contractor networks that feed directly into party machinery — making these results strategically consequential well beyond ward boundaries.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the results of the Rajasthan civic body re-polling on 17 September 2026?
Congress won all four re-poll wards in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation, while the BJP won two of three re-poll wards in Kota, giving it a 57-seat majority in the 100-member body. In Jodhpur, BJP candidate Hemaram Choudhary won Ward 50 by 83 votes after a re-poll ordered due to an EVM malfunction.
Who won the re-poll wards in Jaipur Municipal Corporation?
Congress candidates won all four re-poll wards in Jaipur. Kailashi Devi won Ward 9, Bandita Sharma won Ward 18, Rekha Devi won Ward 25, and Suresh won Ward 34.
Why was there a re-poll in Jodhpur's Ward 50?
Counting for Ward 50 was withheld after an EVM malfunction was detected at booth number 338. The Election Commission ordered a fresh poll at the affected booth, after which votes were counted and BJP's Hemaram Choudhary was declared the winner by 83 votes.
Will the BJP form the municipal board in Kota?
Yes. With 57 councillors in the 100-member Kota Municipal Corporation — a clear majority — the BJP will form the board. Discussions over the party's mayoral candidate are reportedly already underway at the leadership level.
What is the current seat tally in the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation?
Following the Ward 50 result, the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation has 45 BJP councillors, 44 Congress councillors, one RLP councillor, and 10 Independents. The near-equal standing between BJP and Congress means Independents and the RLP member could play a decisive role in board formation.
