Rajasthan baadebandi row: Congress alleges police pressure on councillors at 13 locations
Synopsis
Rajasthan's post-poll board formation has turned confrontational: Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra alleges police visited 13 councillor safe houses at BJP government direction, while an abduction complaint in Kuchera and a last-minute nomination withdrawal in Bharatpur underscore how high the stakes are with 305 civic bodies up for grabs and elections starting 21 September.
Key Takeaways
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra alleged police visited 13 baadebandi locations and pressured Congress councillors across Rajasthan on 19 September 2026 .
Alleged police action was reported in Kuchera , Barmer , and at Hotel Suryagarh in Jaisalmer , where Bikaner councillors were reportedly staying.
BJP candidates won 28 of 32 unopposed chairperson/president/mayor posts; the party can potentially form boards in 18 more bodies with independent support.
In Bharatpur , independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew, making BJP's Anuradha Singh the unopposed mayor.
An abduction complaint was filed in Kuchera against Congress candidate Tejpal Mirdha ; a subsequent video by the alleged victim offered a differing account.
Elections for chairperson and president posts begin 21 September ; Jaipur mayoral vote scheduled for 25 September if required.
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra on 19 September 2026 alleged that police teams visited 13 locations across Rajasthan where Congress councillors were being kept together as part of the party's baadebandi arrangements, and attempted to exert pressure on them ahead of elections for mayor, municipal council president, and chairperson posts. Dotasra urged the state Director General of Police (DGP) to immediately halt such actions, warning that the situation could deteriorate if the alleged police intervention continues. The state government and Rajasthan Police were yet to publicly respond to the allegations at the time of reporting.
What Is Baadebandi and Why It Matters Now
Baadebandi — the practice of keeping elected councillors together at a secure location to prevent poaching by rival parties — has intensified following the conclusion of Rajasthan's urban local body (ULB) polls. With the withdrawal of nominations concluded, board-formation equations for 305 local bodies have crystallised, making the loyalty of each councillor critical. Independent councillors, in particular, are expected to be the kingmakers in several municipalities and municipal councils where neither major party holds a clear majority.
This comes amid a broader pattern of political high-stakes management during ULB board formation across Indian states, where fractured mandates routinely result in aggressive councillor retention efforts by all parties.
Key Allegations and Incidents
Dotasra alleged that police action was reported at several locations including Kuchera and Barmer. He also claimed that Congress councillors from Bikaner were staying at Hotel Suryagarh in Jaisalmer, where, according to him, attempts were made to pressure them. Dotasra warned that the government and Rajasthan Police would be held responsible if any councillor came to harm or if the situation escalated into violence.
A separate flashpoint emerged in Kuchera municipality in Nagaur, ahead of the 21 September chairperson election. Late on Thursday night, one Mehad — brother-in-law of independent councillor Nirvaram of Ward 9 — lodged a complaint at Kuchera police station alleging that Nirvaram had been abducted. Congress candidate Tejpal Mirdha was named in the complaint. A video of Nirvaram subsequently surfaced in which he reportedly gave a different account of the incident, adding to the confusion.
BJP's Commanding Position After Unopposed Results
Chairpersons have already been elected unopposed in 32 civic bodies. Of these, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates secured 28 posts — including two mayoral posts in municipal corporations, five president posts in municipal councils, and 21 chairperson posts in municipalities. Congress candidates won two posts and independents secured two posts.
The BJP is additionally positioned to form boards in 18 civic bodies where it lacks a clear majority but can potentially secure the required numbers with independent support. Political activity has intensified in Ajmer and Alwar, with independent councillors reportedly being approached by both major parties.
Bharatpur Mayor Election Goes Uncontested
A significant development unfolded in Bharatpur on the final day for nomination withdrawal for the mayoral election. Independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination, clearing the path for BJP candidate Anuradha Singh to be elected unopposed as mayor. Singh arrived at the municipal corporation office accompanied by her husband, former Bharatpur mayor Shivmangal Singh, and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedam.
Jaipur Mayor Race Still Open
The BJP is yet to officially announce its candidate for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation mayoral election. Sunil Kothari is being discussed as a possible frontrunner, while the names of Rajendra Saini and Deepa Nathawat are being considered for the deputy mayor's post. The nomination process for the Jaipur mayoral election is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, followed by scrutiny and withdrawal periods. Voting will be held on 25 September if required.
With elections for municipal chairperson and president posts set to begin on 21 September, the next 48 hours will be decisive in determining the political contours of Rajasthan's urban governance landscape.
Point of View
Using police proximity to deter baadebandi is a serious misuse of state machinery, not a routine law-and-order call. The BJP's near-sweep of unopposed posts — 28 out of 32 — suggests the party already holds structural dominance, making aggressive intervention at this stage an unnecessary political risk. The abduction complaint in Kuchera, quickly complicated by a contradictory video, is a reminder that in fractured-mandate contests, the line between political theatre and genuine coercion can collapse fast. The real accountability test arrives after 21 September: whether any formal inquiry is ordered into the police visits, or whether the allegations are quietly absorbed into the noise of a contested board formation.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is baadebandi in Rajasthan politics?
Baadebandi is the practice of keeping elected councillors together at a secure location — typically a hotel or resort — to prevent rival parties from poaching their support during board formation. It is a common tactic in Indian urban local body elections wherever mandates are fractured and independent councillors hold the balance of power.
What did Congress allege about police action in Rajasthan?
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra alleged that police teams visited 13 locations where Congress councillors were being kept as part of baadebandi arrangements and tried to pressure them. He named Kuchera, Barmer, and Hotel Suryagarh in Jaisalmer as sites of alleged police action, and urged the state DGP to intervene immediately.
How many civic body posts has the BJP won so far in Rajasthan ULB elections?
The BJP secured 28 of the 32 chairperson, president, and mayor posts decided through unopposed elections, including two mayoral posts, five council president posts, and 21 municipality chairperson posts. The party is also positioned to form boards in 18 additional civic bodies with independent councillor support.
When are the Rajasthan municipal board elections scheduled?
Elections for municipal chairperson and president posts are scheduled to begin on 21 September 2026. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation mayoral vote is set for 25 September if a contest is required, with the nomination process concluding on Saturday.
What happened in Kuchera and Bharatpur ahead of the elections?
In Kuchera, a complaint was filed alleging the abduction of independent councillor Nirvaram, with Congress candidate Tejpal Mirdha named as accused; a subsequent video by Nirvaram offered a reportedly different account. In Bharatpur, independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination, making BJP's Anuradha Singh the unopposed mayor-elect.
