Rajasthan local body polls: BJP wins 6 of 7 municipal corporations, says Madan Rathore
Synopsis
The BJP swept six of seven Rajasthan municipal corporations whose results were declared on Monday, with mayors elected in Alwar, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Pali, Udaipur and Bharatpur. State BJP chief Madan Rathore used the moment to credit Modi's development agenda — and to publicly mock Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra, claiming a Congress candidate in Pali polled just three votes.
Key Takeaways
BJP won six of seven Rajasthan municipal corporations whose results were declared on 21 September 2026 .
BJP mayors elected in Alwar , Bhilwara , Ajmer , Pali , Udaipur , and Bharatpur .
State BJP president Madan Rathore credited the wins to PM Narendra Modi's development agenda and the Bhajanlal Sharma government.
Rathore attacked Congress Rajasthan chief Govind Singh Dotasra , claiming a Congress candidate in Pali received just three votes .
The BJP will next contest Panchayat elections in the state with the same organisational focus, Rathore said.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajasthan president Madan Rathore on Monday, 21 September 2026, declared the state's local body election results a decisive endorsement of the party, citing BJP victories in six of seven municipal corporations whose results were declared on the day. Addressing a press conference in Jaipur, Rathore attributed the mandate to public confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda and the performance of the Bhajanlal Sharma government in Rajasthan.
Key Results and Municipal Wins
Of the 10 municipal corporations in Rajasthan, results for seven were declared on Monday. The BJP secured a majority in six of those seven. According to Rathore, BJP mayors were elected in Alwar, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Pali, Udaipur, and Bharatpur. The party also reportedly received widespread support across municipal councils and municipalities across the state.
What the Government Claims Credit For
Rathore credited the results to a range of central and state government initiatives. At the national level, he cited schemes on housing, sanitation, railway modernisation, road development, irrigation, and farmer support — including increases in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and disbursements under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. He also referenced the Make in India initiative as a driver of industrial investment.
At the state level, Rathore highlighted the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), the Yamuna Water Agreement, water supply arrangements from Punjab, and efforts to secure Narmada water for the state. He pointed to the Rising Rajasthan initiative as a catalyst for investment and employment, and said recruitment drives were underway to generate jobs for youth.
'One State, One Election' and Future Plans
Rathore said the state government's 'One State, One Election' initiative had reduced election-related expenditure and would free up administrative bandwidth for development and welfare. He added that newly elected BJP representatives would work toward fulfilling the party's Sankalp Patra (manifesto) commitments. He also indicated that the BJP would approach voters with the same focus during the forthcoming Panchayat elections.
Sharp Political Jabs at Congress
Rathore launched a pointed attack on Congress Rajasthan president Govind Singh Dotasra during the press conference. 'Dotasra is a big man; I cannot match him. He can secure benefits for his family, get jobs for family members and avail benefits despite falling under the OBC creamy layer category; I cannot compete with that,' Rathore said. He also drew attention to Congress's performance in the civic polls, claiming the party's candidate in Sadri in Pali received zero votes, while the official Congress candidate in Pali received only three votes. 'How can I compare myself to him? We believe in the organisation,' he added.
What Comes Next
With six municipal corporation wins in hand and Panchayat elections on the horizon, the BJP in Rajasthan appears to be consolidating its position following its state assembly victory. The results will likely embolden the Bhajanlal Sharma government ahead of further civic contests, though the Opposition has yet to formally respond to the outcome.
Point of View
Ward-level delivery, caste arithmetic — as much as broad ideological swings. Rathore's pointed dig at Dotasra over the OBC creamy layer and the near-zero Congress vote tallies in Pali suggests the BJP is as focused on dismantling the Opposition's social coalition as on claiming a developmental mandate. The real political test comes at the Panchayat level, where rural grievances around ERCP water delivery and farmer MSP will be harder to finesse with city-scale development optics.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the results of the Rajasthan local body elections on 21 September 2026?
The BJP won six of seven Rajasthan municipal corporations whose results were declared on 21 September 2026. BJP mayors were elected in Alwar, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Pali, Udaipur, and Bharatpur. Results for the remaining three of the state's ten municipal corporations were yet to be declared.
What is the 'One State, One Election' initiative in Rajasthan?
It is a Bhajanlal Sharma government initiative aimed at synchronising multiple levels of civic elections in Rajasthan to reduce election-related expenditure and free up government bandwidth for development work. State BJP chief Madan Rathore cited it as a governance reform that contributed to the party's positive voter perception.
Why did Madan Rathore attack Congress's Govind Singh Dotasra?
Responding to a question about Dotasra, Rathore alleged that the Congress Rajasthan president had secured family benefits and jobs for relatives while availing reservations despite falling under the OBC creamy layer — allegations Dotasra has not yet formally responded to. Rathore also claimed a Congress candidate in Pali polled just three votes in the civic polls.
What central and state schemes did Rathore credit for the BJP's local poll performance?
Rathore cited central schemes including MSP hikes, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Make in India, and infrastructure investments in railways and roads. At the state level, he referenced the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project, the Yamuna Water Agreement, the Rising Rajasthan investment initiative, and government recruitment drives.
What elections are next in Rajasthan after the local body results?
Panchayat elections are next on the Rajasthan political calendar. Rathore said the BJP would approach voters in those contests with the same organisational commitment, and that newly elected municipal representatives would work toward fulfilling the party's Sankalp Patra manifesto promises.
