The Khatushyamji Municipality Chairperson election was thrown into fresh turmoil on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, after police located missing Congress councillor Lakshmi, whose unexplained absence during the voting process had sparked a heated standoff between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. The State Election Commission (SEC) must now decide whether Lakshmi will be permitted to cast her vote or whether the result will be declared on the basis of ballots already counted.

The Dispute That Halted the Election

Lakshmi's absence had become the pivot of the contest, with both parties advancing conflicting claims over the legitimacy of the election process. The Returning Officer had already postponed the elections for the posts of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson following late-night directives from the SEC. In such a narrowly contested municipality, a single vote carries decisive weight — and Lakshmi is also reportedly related to the BJP's candidate, making her participation doubly significant.

Kidnapping Allegation and Police Complaint

The situation escalated sharply when Lakshmi's husband, Harlal, filed a written complaint with DSP Rajesh Jangid, who was present at the location. In the complaint, Harlal alleged that Congress leader Shyam Sundar Poonia had kidnapped his wife. The allegation, which remains unverified at this stage, triggered a protest by Congress supporters and led to a direct confrontation between workers of both parties. Slogans exchanged by rival camps further heightened tensions at the site.

Police Confirm Recovery, Details Withheld

Police subsequently confirmed that Lakshmi had been found, though authorities declined to disclose where she was located or the circumstances surrounding her recovery. Officials stated she would be produced before a court, and that clarity on the full sequence of events would emerge through the judicial process. Harlal had staged a sit-in alongside BJP leaders in the interim, repeatedly demanding that his wife be given sufficient time and opportunity to exercise her franchise.

Rival Party Positions

The BJP has maintained that Lakshmi must be allowed to vote, arguing that denying her the right to cast her ballot in such a closely contested race would be procedurally unjust. Congress, however, has demanded that the election result be declared on the basis of votes already cast. The party has signalled it may approach the court, contending that reopening the voting window to accommodate one absent councillor would set a problematic precedent.

What Happens Next

With Lakshmi now traced, attention has shifted entirely to the State Election Commission, whose ruling will determine whether she participates in the vote or whether the existing tally stands. The outcome of the Khatushyamji Municipality election — one of the most closely watched contests in Rajasthan's current municipal polls cycle — now hinges on the Commission's next move.