BJP sweeps Rajasthan civic polls

Jaipur, Nov 25: Rajasthan's ruling BJP swept the civic bodies polls in the state, winning in 27 of the 46 civic bodies where elections were held on Nov 22.

Out of the six municipal corporations, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won on 5 while in Bharatpur, independents left both it and the Congress behind.

In Jaipur Municipal Corporation, BJP candidates won 64 of the 91 wards. The Congress was able to win only 18 wards while independents won the remaining nine.

Similarly in Jodhpur, after a gap of 15 years, the BJP won the polls. The party's candidates were declared elected on 39 of the 65 wards while the Congress was able to win only on 19 wards.

In Udaipur where BJP is going to rule for the fifth time, the Congress was able to win only on three wards out of the total of 55, with a whopping 49 going BJP's way.

In Kota Municipal Corporation, BJP candidates won 53 of the 65 wards. The Congress was able to win only six. In Bikaner, the position was no different as BJP candidates captured 35 of the 60 wards while the Congress was able to win only 16 wards.

However, for Bharatpur Municipal Corporation, the independents won on majority of wards. Of the 50 wards, independents won on 20, the BJP on 18 and the Congress on 11.

Of the remaining 40 municipal councils and municipalities, the BJP got absolute majority on 22 and on another nine the party emerged as single largest party where it will have to seek support from independents to come to power.

"I thank the people and the party workers for the win in the polls," Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said in a statement.

The Congress only won a majority in four, while in two - Tonk and Barmer - it has emerged as single largest party.

"We accept the people's mandate and accept defeat. We would assess the results and we will now look forward to performing well in panchayat elections, which are due in next couple of months," party's state unit chief Sachin Pilot told IANS on phone.

IANS