Fire partially damages Katra helipad terminal in Jammu & Kashmir
Digital Desk | Jammu, Sep 20 (IANS) A fire partially damaged the helipad terminal, used to ferry pilgrims to the hilltop Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, at Katra in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district early on Sunday. According to local sources, the fire was noticed around 3.15 a.m. The flames were brought under control shortly after by personnel present at the site, with assistance from fire and emergency services. The helipad terminal, an important transit point for pilgrims travelling to the shrine atop the Trikuta Hills, was closed at the time of the incident. No casualties have been reported so far. The extent of the damage is being assessed. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the exact cause of the fire, though a short circuit is suspected. In a similar incident in June, a fire had broken out near the helipad at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya minutes before the scheduled landing of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, officials said. Police had then launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire and determine how it broke out close to the helipad designated for the Chief Minister's arrival, according to an NDTV report. The blaze reportedly started near the helipad and quickly spread towards the nearby Saryu Guest House. According to officials, it affected an area of about 15 metres before being brought under control ahead of the chief minister's landing. Security personnel deployed at the site initially attempted to contain the flames before fire brigade teams arrived and extinguished the blaze. No injuries or loss of life were reported. A massive fire broke out at the Sethi Complex Manihari Katla, also known as Purohit Ji Ka Katla, in Jaipur's Tripolia Bazaar in Rajasthan on Thursday morning. More than 20 shops and warehouses, including clothing warehouses, plastic goods shops and bangle stores, were reportedly affected by the blaze. According to initial information, the fire started in goods stored in cartons outside a clothing shop on the second floor.
Kashmir finds its way into my work almost instinctively.
Yourself and your journey as an illustrator and graphic designer: My name is Ghazal Qadri, and I am a Kashmiri-born illustrator and graphic designer. I grew up in Kashmir and later moved away for high school and higher education. I hold a bachelors degree in Accessory Design from NIFT and an MA in Illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, USA. I currently work as a freelance illustrator and am represented by Sara Crowe Literary. My work is inspired by everyday life, childhood, culture, people-watching and birdwatching. I enjoy creating comics, picture books and designs for social causes. My style is expressive, colourful and character-driven, with a special interest in projects related to children, education and community. Your earliest memories of art, and when did you realise illustration was your calling. Some of my earliest memories of art are of sitting in my room surrounded by things most people would call junk. I would spread out a bedsheet, bring out my collection of paper, glue, driftwood and other little finds, and start making something from them. My father would always wait to see what I had created, and he loved displaying my handmade pieces around the house. Many of them are still there today. My familys encouragement made me want to keep creating. Later, when I moved to a boarding school in Jaipur, I was surrounded by creative people and many new opportunities. My teachers and classmates encouraged me to take part in art competitions and activities. That experience gave me confidence and helped me realise that art and illustration were something I wanted to pursue seriously. My father always encouraged creativity at home, and both my brother and I had the freedom to explore our interests. My brother was also artistic, although he eventually chose a different career path and did very well in it. I decided to continue with art. I loved making things out of discarded materials, and that interest led me to study Accessory Design at NIFT Hyderabad. Later, I joined a design studio where I had the opportunity to work on illustration projects. That experience gave me the confidence to pursue illustration more seriously as a career. Your journey from Kashmir to the United States unfold. My journey began when political unrest in Kashmir disrupted education in 2010. My family decided to send me to a boarding school in Jaipur so that my studies would not suffer. It was difficult to leave home, but the experience introduced me to new creative opportunities. I participated in art competitions, received encouragement from teachers and began to understand that art could become a serious career. I later studied product and lifestyle-accessory design at NIFT Hyderabad and then worked as an illustrator at Lollypop Design Studio in Bangalore. In 2018, I travelled to Buffalo, New York, for an art fellowship connected with Roswell Park. That was one of my earliest professional experiences in the United States and gave me valuable exposure to the international creative community. I subsequently completed my masters degree in Illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2020. After graduating, I continued working in the United States as a freelance illustrator and visual designer. I have lived in several cities during that journey and am now based in Dallas. How much of Kashmir finds its way into your work, consciously or subconsciously? Kashmir finds its way into my work almost instinctively. Sometimes it appears consciously through the language, humour, clothing, crafts and everyday traditions I illustrate. Projects such as the Kath Baath stickers, for example, grew from my desire to preserve Kashmiri phrases and translate them visually for both Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri audiences. Which artists, writers or illustrators have influenced your style the most? Gemma Correll, Mike Lowery and Huda are some of my favourite artists. Their work is similar to the kind of illustration I enjoy, and they continue to inspire me. My earliest and strongest influence, however, was Alicia Souza. Her work had a very positive impact on the way I observe and illustrate everyday life. I even had a little fan moment when I got the chance to meet her at an event once. Which assignment has been the most meaningful, and why? The most special assignment for me has been Sonth Is Here because it was my debut book as an author-illustrator. My father supported me a lot throughout the process, and the editors and art directors at Pratham Books helped me shape and develop the book. It is still very special to me because it is closely connected to my own feelings, experiences and memories of Kashmir. Books, publications or brands you have illustrated for. I have worked across childrens publishing, comics, editorial illustration, branding and educational communication. I wrote and illustrated Sonth Is Here, published by Pratham Books, which celebrates the arrival of spring in Kashmir. I also illustrated Say Something, Poupeh Babaee!, a middle-grade graphic novel written by Haleh Massey and published by Yellow Jacket. It follows an Iranian girl navigating immigration, family separation, and selective mutism. This was launched this year in January. Another memorable book was Allie and the Albino Squirrel, written by E. K. McCoy and published through Atmosphere Press. For that project, I combined illustrated characters with photographic backgrounds to create a distinctive visual world. I have also worked on projects with UNICEF, Tulika Publishers, SIHA magazine, DreamWorks and Gifts of Love. In the branding space, I have developed packaging, mascots and visual identities for food, education and community-focused organisations. Do you think digital platforms have made it easier for artists from smaller regions to reach international audiences? Absolutely. Digital platforms have significantly reduced geographical limitations. An artist can now share their work from Kashmir and have it seen by publishers, clients, and audiences across the globe. For instance, my Kashmiri illustrations and WhatsApp stickers were initially shared online, reaching Kashmiris living in many different countries. Surprisingly, they also resonated with people who didn't understand the Kashmiri language but still connected with the expressions and humour. At first, my father and I spent hours manually forwarding the stickers one by one to people who sent direct messages on my Instagram, until a friend eventually designed a dedicated app for me. My website and social media platforms have also been instrumental in helping editors, publishers, and collaborators discover my work. However, gaining visibility online is just the beginning; artists still need a distinct voice, a robust portfolio, and consistency to turn that exposure into a sustainable career. Are there any upcoming books, exhibitions or collaborations that you can share with our readers? My middle-grade graphic novel Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! was recently published, and seeing such a large and emotionally layered project finally become a book was very special. I do not have an exhibition announcement at the moment, but I would love to eventually present a body of work centred on Kashmiri memories, humour and everyday culture. You have also made WhatsApp stickers, reflecting Kashmiri emotions, vibe. How did the idea come to you? Are you planning more such stickers? The idea began in the summer of 2018, when I returned home to Kashmir. While attending weddings, going on picnics and visiting villages, I felt deeply nostalgic about our language, humour and everyday expressions. The first illustration in the series came from a personal moment. My mother used the Kashmiri expression Kharizaleeli for me, and I immediately felt inspired to turn it into a character. I posted the illustration on Instagram, and people responded to it with so much excitement and recognition. That reaction encouraged me to create more and the series kept growing. Coincidentally, WhatsApp introduced its sticker feature at the same time, I realised these illustrations could become something people could actually use in their daily conversations. The characters wore pherans and traditional headgear and expressed familiar emotions, phrases and proverbs. My father really helped me share the stickers with his contacts in the beginning, and gradually they reached Kashmiris around the world. Yes! I would love to revisit the series and create a new collection. Kashmiri language and humour continue to evolve, especially among younger generations and the diaspora, so there are many new expressions, emotions and situations that could be explored through stickers.
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Jaipur Mayor Poll: BJP shifts councillors between hotels amid cross-voting fears
BJPs Prasan Chand Mehta, Congs Rajendra Solanki fielded for mayoral post in Jodhpur
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Controversial Rule Allows Non-Councillor to Remain Head of Municipal Body
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 19 ( IANS) The political contest for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation Mayoral post has taken shape, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) naming Sunil Kothari and the Congress fielding Sunita Mahawar. Kothari, a former Jaipur City BJP President and newly elected Councillor from Ward-112, filed his nomination on Saturday. Mahawar, a Congress Councillor from Ward-118, has also entered the political fray. The BJP has 78 Councillors in the 150-member corporation, while the Congress has 57 and Independents hold 15 seats. The Mayoral election is scheduled for September 25, with voting to be held between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. if the political contest remains contested after the withdrawal process. The BJP finalised Kothari's candidature after consultations within the party. He reached the Jaipur Municipal Corporation headquarters on Saturday afternoon to file his nomination, accompanied by several senior BJP leaders. Kothari has been associated with the BJP organisation for several decades and has previously served as Jaipur City BJP President. He has also held other organisational responsibilities within the BJP. In the upcoming Jaipur municipal corporation election, Kothari contested Ward-112 and defeated the Congress candidate Ashish Sharma by 905 votes, according to reports on the election result. His election affidavit reportedly puts the value of his movable and immovable assets at around Rs 35.87 crore. The Congress has fielded Sunita Mahawar from Ward-118. She is a long-time Congress worker with experience in Jaipur's municipal politics and has previously held responsibilities in the Municipal Corporation. Mahawar is associated with the Adarsh Nagar area and is considered close to Congress MLA Rafeek Khan. The Congress has also indicated that it is seeking support beyond its own Councillor group ahead of the Mayoral election. Khan has publicly claimed that some BJP Councillors are in contact with the Congress, though such claims have not been independently verified. Mahawar's candidature gives the Congress a woman Councillor with experience in local politics as its challenger to the BJP candidate Sunil Kothari. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation has 150 wards. Following the September 17 repoll results, the final party-wise tally stands at BJP: 78, Congress: 57 and Independents: 15. The BJP therefore has a majority in the 150-member corporation. The four wards that went to repoll were all won by Congress, taking its tally from 53 to 57. The 15 Independent Councillors could nevertheless remain politically significant during the Mayoral election, particularly because the Mayor is elected through a vote of the elected Councillors. The Rajasthan State Election Commission has scheduled the Jaipur Mayoral election for September 25. Nominations were accepted on September 18 and 19, scrutiny is scheduled for September 21, and September 22 is the deadline for withdrawal of candidature. With both major parties, BJP and the Congress, now having formally announced candidates, the focus shifts to the nomination scrutiny, withdrawal process and the efforts of the parties to consolidate support ahead of the September 25 vote.
Sunil Kothari named BJPs Jaipur mayoral candidate
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 19 (IANS) The BJP has named Sunil Kothari as its candidate for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation mayoral election. His candidature was finalised following consultations at the Chief Ministers Residence (CMR). Meanwhile, the Congress has asked Sunita Mawar, councillor from Ward 118, and Bharat Meghwal, councillor from Ward 84, to remain prepared to file their nomination papers. On Friday, BJP councillors were asked to indicate their preferences for the mayoral candidate. Each councillor was asked to submit three names in order of preference. Later in the evening, the councillors were shifted to The Surya Golden Palace hotel in Pushkar. Following the finalisation of his candidature, Sunil Kothari was brought back to Jaipur from the group. Earlier, after the BJP had sought the preferences of its Jaipur councillors before finalising its mayoral candidate, among the names discussed within the party were Sunil Kothari, Puneet Karnawat and Subhash Singhi. Kothari represents Ward 112 and has previously served as the BJP's Jaipur city president. He has also held several organisational responsibilities in the party. Puneet Karnawat, the outgoing deputy mayor, represents Ward 76 and was also among the names under consideration. Subhash Singhi, who won from Ward 98, was another contender. The selection process also involved discussions over the community representation of the mayoral candidate. Party leaders and councillors considered several factors, including the views of elected representatives, seniority and organisational experience. There was also discussion within the party about choosing a candidate from the Vaishya community for Jaipur. Kothari emerged as a prominent contender during these deliberations. Some city MLAs were reportedly supporting Subhash Singhi, while Karnawat's name was also being considered. With the BJP having selected a Jain community candidate in Udaipur, and both contenders in Jodhpur reportedly belonging to the Jain community, there was also discussion about choosing a candidate from a different community for Jaipur. Kothari's candidature was ultimately finalised by the BJP following consultations at the Chief Minister's Residence.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 19 (IANS) Political manoeuvring and the practice of baadebandi have intensified in Rajasthan ahead of elections for mayor, municipal council president and chairperson posts, triggering tensions across the state after the conclusion of the urban local body polls. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra has alleged that police teams visited 13 locations where Congress councillors were being kept together and attempted to exert pressure on them. He urged the state Director General of Police (DGP) to immediately stop such actions, warning that the situation could deteriorate if the alleged police intervention continues. The government and the police are yet to publicly respond to Dotasra's allegations. Following the civic election results and withdrawal of nominations, the equations for board formation in 305 local bodies have become clearer. Chairpersons have already been elected unopposed in 32 civic bodies. Of these, BJP candidates secured 28 posts, Congress candidates two, and independents two. The BJP is also in a position to form boards in 18 civic bodies where it does not have a clear majority but can potentially secure the required numbers with the support of independent councillors. Among the 32 unopposed elections, BJP candidates were elected to two mayoral posts in municipal corporations, five president posts in municipal councils and 21 chairperson posts in municipalities. Congress candidates were elected unopposed in two bodies, while independents secured two posts. In four other civic bodies, Congress candidates hold the chairperson's post in two municipalities, while independents hold one municipal council and one municipality post. A significant development took place in Bharatpur on the final day for withdrawal of nominations for the mayoral election. Independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination, paving the way for BJP candidate Anuradha Singh to be elected unopposed as mayor. Singh reached the municipal corporation office with her husband, former Bharatpur mayor Shivmangal Singh, and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedam to withdraw her nomination. Meanwhile, political activity has intensified in Ajmer and Alwar, with independent councillors reportedly being approached by both major parties. 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 of nominations. Voting will be held on September 25 if required. Dotasra has alleged that police teams visited 13 locations where Congress councillors were being kept as part of the party's baadebandi arrangements. He alleged that police action was reported at several places, including Kuchera and Barmer. Dotasra also claimed that Congress councillors from Bikaner were staying at Hotel Suryagarh in Jaisalmer, where, he alleged, attempts were being made to exert pressure on them. Appealing to the DGP to intervene, 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. Political tensions have also risen in Kuchera municipality in Nagaur ahead of the September 21 chairperson election. BJP candidate Rishi Pal Mirdha and Congress candidate Tejpal Mirdha, who are uncle and nephew, are contesting for the post. Late Thursday night, Mehad, the brother-in-law of independent councillor Nirvaram of Ward 9, lodged a complaint at Kuchera police station alleging that the councillor had been abducted. Congress candidate Tejpal Mirdha was accused in the complaint. Later, a video of Nirvaram surfaced, in which he reportedly gave a different account of the incident. The developments have added another layer of political tension to the ongoing efforts by parties to secure the numbers required for control of municipal boards. Elections for municipal chairperson and president posts are scheduled to begin on September 21. With several bodies witnessing fractured mandates, independent councillors are expected to play a significant role in determining board formation in several municipalities and municipal councils.
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NTA declares AIAPGET-2026 results; Vinod tops Ayurveda list
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday announced the results of All India Ayush Post Graduate Entrance (AIAPGET) 2026, with Vinod emerging as the topper in the Ayurveda discipline and Ayyamolia Akshaya coming first among Homoeopathy course aspirants, an official said. In a post on X, the NTA said, AIAPGET 2026 final answer keys officially released. Candidates can access the final answer keys and check their answers at the official examination portal. The AIAPGET-2026 examination, conducted at 205 Centres in 104 cities on August 22, recorded the appearance of 49,864 candidates. A re-exam was held on September 1 for 49 candidates in Jaipur due to power-cut-related disruption in the earlier attempt. Of the 49,864 candidates who appeared in AIAPGET2026, 31,178 were female, and 18,686 were male, the statement said. Of these, 35,838 candidates appeared for admission to the Ayurveda course and 10,643 for Homoeopathy. A total of 2,649 candidates appeared for Unani and 734 for Siddha, the statement said. As many as 19,920 Ayurveda course aspirants and 5,934 Homoeopathy course candidates were declared qualified by the NTA. The NTA conducted AIAPGET-2026 on behalf of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH), in consultation with the Ministry of AYUSH, in a statement. The NTA said that it has no role in counselling. Ayush Admissions Central Counselling Committee (AACCC) will conduct counselling for admission to All India quota seats in Government, Government Aided, National Institutions, Central and Deemed to be Universities (Established under Central Act)/ and designated State / Union Territories (UT's), the statement said. Counselling Authority(s) will conduct counselling for admission to State/UT quota seats based on candidates' AIAPGET-2026 merit, choice of subject and fulfilment of their eligibility criteria, guidelines, domicile criteria and applicable reservation policies, it said.
Beyond civic poll numbers: Rajasthan Congress leadership in focus again
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) The Rajasthan Congresss old fault lines have once again come to the fore, with a fresh war of words between former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and senior party leader Sachin Pilot following the partys performance in the recently concluded urban local body elections. The BJP emerged as the largest party in civic polls. However, the statewide vote-share contest between two principal parties was remarkably close. The BJP polled 35.18% of the vote against 34.24% for the Congress, a difference of just 0.94 percentage points. Against this backdrop, Gehlot has questioned Congresss election strategy, campaign planning and organisational preparedness. Though he did not explicitly name Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra, his remarks have been interpreted as a criticism of the state organisations handling of the campaign. Speaking to the media, Gehlot said the Congress should have prepared a more effective strategy to counter the BJPs aggressive campaign, including the roadshows led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other BJP leaders. Gehlot said that had the Pradesh Congress Committee drawn up a stronger programme and ensured that all senior leaders campaigned together, the party could have performed better. He also suggested that the Congress should have responded to the BJPs roadshows with roadshows of its own. Gehlot further argued that, in his assessment, the political environment offered the Congress an opportunity and that better campaign planning could have translated into more seats. His comments have added to the scrutiny surrounding the Congresss performance in the civic elections and have put the spotlight on the state organisations campaign preparedness. Sachin Pilot has now pushed back against the criticism, defending the work of the Pradesh Congress Committee and its state leadership. Pilot said the PCC had done a good job during the local body elections and had worked at the grassroots level. He pointed to the partys door-to-door campaign and said responsibilities had been assigned to leaders and workers in their respective areas. Pilot also noted that political parties have access to different levels of resources when they are in government, drawing a distinction between resources available to the ruling BJP and those available to the opposition Congress. The exchange has once again brought the Gehlot-Pilot divide into focus, while simultaneously placing Dotasra at the centre of the debate over the Congresss electoral strategy. The latest confrontation comes amid a series of episodes that have exposed competing power centres within the Rajasthan Congress. Dotasra has previously stressed the importance of the party organisation over individual leaders, remarks that came amid renewed discussion about Gehlots influence in the state unit. Separately, political tensions resurfaced when slogans calling for Gehlot to return as Chief Minister were raised at a party-related event following the entry of workers associated with the Bharat Adivasi Party into the Congress. Although the leaders involved have distanced themselves from interpretations suggesting an open internal confrontation, the episodes have fuelled speculation about competing leadership camps within the Rajasthan Congress. The current dispute, therefore, is not simply about the outcome of the civic polls. It has reopened questions about who sets the Congresss political strategy in Rajasthan, how the organisation should be run, and how much space should be given to its established leadership versus emerging leadership centres. The election numbers have provided ammunition for the competing narratives within the Congress. The BJP finished ahead of the Congress in overall vote share and ward tally, while the Congress has highlighted the narrow 0.94 percentage-point vote-share gap. Dotasra has attributed part of the disparity between vote share and ward wins to what he described as unfair delimitation, a claim that has been publicly disputed and remains part of the political debate. The results have consequently produced two parallel narratives within the Congress: one focusing on the narrow statewide vote-share gap and electoral factors such as delimitation, and another questioning whether the partys campaign and organisation did enough to convert its vote base into ward victories. For years, the Gehlot-Pilot relationship has been one of the defining fault lines of Rajasthan Congress politics. The latest exchange shows that the rivalry remains politically relevant even as a new generation of state-level leaders, including Dotasra and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, occupies a more prominent organisational space. With the 2028 Rajasthan Assembly election still ahead, the latest war of words has once again brought the Congresss internal leadership question into the spotlight. For now, Gehlot is questioning the strategy, Pilot is defending the state organisation, and Dotasra is confronting the electoral numbers and defending the partys performance. The public exchange has ensured that the Congresss internal political battle is once again running alongside its contest with the BJP.
21-year-old Kirti Gosaiwal becomes Rajs youngest municipal chairperson
Rajasthan local body polls: BJP candidates elected unopposed in 25 bodies
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) The battle for the top posts in Rajasthans urban local bodies has entered a decisive phase following the announcement of councillor election results, with the BJP claiming unopposed victories for its candidates as chairpersons, sabhapatis and presidents in 25 civic bodies across the state. The BJP has also secured unopposed mayoral victories in the Bharatpur and Bhilwara Municipal Corporations, although the political circumstances in the two corporations are markedly different. While the BJP enjoys a clear numerical majority in Bhilwara, the Bharatpur outcome has emerged as a major political talking point because independent councillors won the largest number of seats in the corporation. The Bharatpur Municipal Corporation has 65 wards. In the recent civic elections, Independent candidates emerged as the largest group, winning 36 wards. The BJP won 20 seats, while the Congress secured 7. The BSP and RLP won one seat each. The numbers initially suggested that Independent councillors would play the decisive role in determining the next mayor, as no political party had a majority on its own. The BJP fielded Anuradha Singh as its mayoral candidate. Independent councillor Vichitra Singh from Ward 17 also entered the contest, reportedly with Congress backing, setting up the possibility of a closely contested mayoral election. However, the situation changed dramatically on September 18, when Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination. With her withdrawal, Anuradha Singh became the sole candidate for the mayoral post and is set to be elected unopposed, subject to completion of the formal electoral process. The result is particularly significant for the BJP because Bharatpur is the home district of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. The BJP did not win a majority of the corporations 65 seats. Instead, Independents emerged as the largest bloc. Their numbers had therefore made them central to the mayoral contest. The withdrawal of the Independent candidate has now removed the need for a direct electoral contest for the mayors post. The development has also triggered a political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with Congress leaders alleging that the Independent candidate was pressured into withdrawing her nomination. BJP leaders and the candidate have offered a different account of the decision. The circumstances surrounding Vichitra Singhs withdrawal have become a major point of contention. According to reports cited in connection with the development, Vichitra Singh met Rajasthan Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham before withdrawing her nomination. The meeting reportedly lasted nearly two hours. Bedham subsequently met Vichitra Singhs husband, former Bharatpur Mayor Shiv Singh Bhont. After withdrawing her nomination, Vichitra Singh said she wanted to contribute to the development of Bharatpur and had taken the decision with that objective in mind. Congress leaders, however, have alleged that the withdrawal followed political pressure. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra have separately questioned the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal and accused the BJP government of using administrative machinery to influence the mayoral election. These allegations have been rejected by the BJP, which has maintained its political position on the development. The political arithmetic in Bhilwara was very different. The Bhilwara Municipal Corporation has 70 wards, with the BJP winning 45 seats and securing a clear majority. The Congress won 10 seats, while Independent candidates secured 15. The BJP nominated Jaswant Kanwar, who won from Ward 9, as its mayoral candidate. Independent candidate Santosh Kanwar had initially entered the mayoral race but withdrew her nomination on September 17. The Congress did not field a candidate for the mayoral post. Jaswant Kanwar was consequently elected mayor unopposed. Unlike Bharatpur, where Independents held the largest bloc, the Bhilwara outcome followed a clear BJP majority combined with the withdrawal of the only other candidate in the mayoral contest. According to information released by the BJP, its candidates have been elected unopposed to the posts of chairperson, sabhapati or president in 25 urban local bodies across Rajasthan. The developments followed the election of councillors in the states 309 urban local bodies. According to figures cited by the BJP, it emerged as the largest party in 148 urban local bodies, while the Congress was the largest party in 104. The remaining bodies have produced mixed electoral outcomes, with independents and other parties also holding significant representation in several councils. The Bharatpur result has highlighted a broader feature of the 2026 local body elections: the importance of Independent councillors in bodies where neither the BJP nor Congress has secured a majority. In Bharatpur, the 36 Independent councillors represented the largest bloc, compared with 20 BJP councillors and seven Congress councillors. That arithmetic initially made the mayoral contest a battle for independent support. The withdrawal of the Independent candidate, however, transformed the contest from a numerical battle into an unopposed election. The developments in Bharatpur and the wider Bharatpur-Deeg region have attracted particular attention because of the regions political significance and the BJP governments focus on strengthening its presence in local institutions. For the BJP, the unopposed mayoral outcome in Bharatpur comes despite the party not holding the largest number of councillor seats. In Bhilwara, by contrast, the partys unopposed mayoral victory follows a clear majority in the corporation. The two outcomes illustrate the different political equations emerging across Rajasthans urban local bodiesranging from clear party majorities to councils where independents hold the balance of power. With the election of mayors, chairpersons and presidents now underway, the focus is shifting from ward-level results to the political negotiations and alignments determining who will lead Rajasthans civic bodies for the coming term.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) A political controversy has erupted over the Bharatpur Municipal Corporation mayoral election after Independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination, clearing the way for BJP candidate Anuradha Singh to be elected unopposed. Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, termed the development extremely unfortunate and condemnable and alleged that the Independent candidate was intimidated into withdrawing her nomination. In a post on X, Gehlot alleged that the administration had intimidated Vichitra Singh at her business premises a day before her withdrawal and claimed that Rajasthan Minister of State for Home, Jawahar Singh Bedham, subsequently met her and facilitated the withdrawal. Gehlot also alleged that the BJP government and administration were using their machinery to influence the mayoral election. He claimed that the people of Bharatpur had rejected the BJP, pointing out that the party had won only 20 of the 65 councillor seats in the civic body. According to Gehlot, despite the BJP not having a majority of councillors, efforts were being made to install a BJP mayor through what he described as undemocratic means. He accused the Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma government of setting a new precedent through the alleged misuse of government machinery. Vichitra Singh had entered the Bharatpur mayoral race as an Independent candidate, and it was reported that she had the backing of the Congress. Her candidature had set the stage for a contest against BJP nominee Anuradha Singh. However, the electoral contest changed dramatically after Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination on Thursday. Rajasthan Congress President, Govind Singh Dotasra, also launched a direct attack on the BJP and the Bhajanlal Sharma government, alleging that events in the Chief Ministers home district of Bharatpur unfolded exactly as the Congress had feared. In a post on X, Dotasra alleged that the BJP, having been rejected by voters in Bharatpur, murdered democracy by misusing state power and police machinery to install its own mayor. Dotasra pointed out that the BJP had won only 20 of the 65 councillor seats in the Bharatpur Municipal Corporation. He alleged that, despite lacking a majority, the ruling party used the power of the government and administration to engineer the mayoral election in its favour. According to Dotasra, Congress-backed Independent candidate Vichitra Singh had a clear numerical advantage and her election as mayor appeared certain. He alleged that instead of respecting the electoral mandate, Chief Minister Sharma sent a government minister to put pressure on the Independent candidate and ensure that she withdrew her nomination. He alleged that the withdrawal of Vichitra Singhs nomination has exposed the BJP governments attempt to overturn the mandate of Bharatpurs voters through the use of government machinery. The Congress leader demanded that the BJP government respect the democratic mandate and questioned the circumstances under which the Independent candidate withdrew from the mayoral contest. With Vichitra Singhs withdrawal leaving BJP candidate Anuradha Singh as the sole contender, the Bharatpur mayoral election has become a fresh flashpoint between the BJP government and the Congress, with the Opposition alleging political coercion and misuse of administrative machinery. According to reports cited in connection with the development, Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham held a meeting with Vichitra Singh that lasted nearly two hours before she withdrew her nomination. Following the meeting, Bedham also met Vichitra Singhs husband, former Bharatpur Mayor Shiv Singh Bhont, in connection with the election. The circumstances surrounding the withdrawal have become a political flashpoint, with the Congress questioning whether the candidate was subjected to pressure. Following Vichitra Singhs withdrawal, BJP candidate Anuradha Singh became the sole candidate in the mayoral race. After withdrawing her nomination, Vichitra Singh said she wanted to play a significant role in Bharatpurs development and had taken the decision with that objective in mind. The episode has intensified the political confrontation in Rajasthan, with the Congress alleging coercion and misuse of administrative machinery, while the withdrawal itself has paved the way for the BJP candidates unopposed election.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) Political tensions have escalated ahead of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation mayoral election, with the Congress approaching the Police Commissioner over the alleged intimidation of its councillors and complaints of police misconduct during vote counting. A Congress delegation submitted a memorandum on Friday, seeking assurances that its elected councillors would be allowed to participate in the mayoral election freely and without pressure, threats or coercion. In its memorandum, the Congress alleged irregularities during the counting process, claiming that candidates who had maintained leads were declared defeated by narrow margins in at least seven instances. The party alleged that when candidates sought recounts over discrepancies in the results and counting process, police personnel allegedly pushed them out of the counting venue and used force instead of addressing their complaints. Congress leaders have demanded a fair and time-bound enquiry into all seven incidents, along with the preservation of CCTV footage and video recordings from the counting process. They have also sought accountability for what they allege was assault and excessive use of force. The Congress has also raised concerns that its councillors could face pressure or intimidation ahead of the mayoral election. The party has urged the police administration to ensure that no councillor is threatened, detained or prevented from reaching the election venue because of political pressure. It has specifically sought safeguards against councillors being taken to police stations or intercepted while travelling to or from the election venue. The memorandum calls for clear instructions to police officers and station in-charges to ensure that councillors can move freely, enter the election venue, cast their votes and return without obstruction. The party has demanded the appointment of a senior police officer to promptly address complaints related to the election and has sought the officers contact details. The memorandum was signed by Jaipur Congress District President Sunil Sharma, former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, MLAs Rafiq Khan and Amin Kagzi, and former MLA Ganga Devi. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation has 150 wards. According to the final results cited by the Congress, the BJP has 78 councillors, the Congress 57, while independent candidates hold the remaining seats. With the mayoral election approaching, the Congress has called on the police administration to ensure a fair, peaceful and fear-free election, while safeguarding the democratic rights of all elected councillors. The allegations regarding the counting process and police conduct have been made by the Congress and would require an official investigation to establish the facts.
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Rajasthan: BJPs Anuradha Singh set to become unopposed mayor of Bharatpur
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Anuradha Singh is set to become the unopposed Mayor of Bharatpur Municipal Corporation after independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination in the presence of BJP government minister Jawahar Singh Bedham. Following the developments in Bhilwara, BJP State President Madan Rathore extended his best wishes to Singh, stating that public faith and trust in the BJP continue to strengthen. With Vichitra Singhs withdrawal, Anuradha Singh remains the sole candidate for the mayoral post, paving the way for her unopposed election. Rathore remarked that this growing trust in the BJP is reflected in the party securing unopposed mayoral and chairperson positions in approximately 18 civic bodies. He said independent councillors in Bharatpur have decided to join the BJP for the development of the region, expressing confidence in the partys ideology and the public-welfare policies of the Bhajanlal Sharma government. He added that the alignment of independent candidates and councillors with the BJP indicates their desire to work alongside the states BJP government for regional development. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, the state government is working with a focus on public welfare and development, Rathore said. Rathore further stated that the support received by the BJP in Bharatpur would provide new momentum to the regions development. He said the BJP is committed to working in the public interest with the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Together with all, Development for all). He added that not only in Bharatpur, but in several other places as well, BJP candidates are emerging as unopposed mayors and chairpersons. In some places, opposition candidates did not file nominations, while in others, independent candidates withdrew their nominations and extended their support to the BJP.
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Rajasthan civic polls: Police, Congress workers clash in Degana; Kuchera power tussle intensifies
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) Political tensions flared in Rajasthan's Degana late Thursday night as the police lathi-charged Congress workers protesting outside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office over alleged irregularities in the nomination process for the Kuchera Municipal Council Chairperson post. The Congress alleged that facts were concealed during the nomination process for the Kuchera Municipal Council Chairperson post. Congress workers staged a sit-in outside the SDM office, demanding an enquiry into the nomination process and action against the Returning Officer. Several Congress workers gathered at the SDM office and raised slogans. A police team led by station house officer (SHO) Ashok Kumar Jhajharia reached the spot after being informed about the protest. Citing the Model Code of Conduct, the police urged the protesters to end the sit-in. However, the Congress workers remained firm on their demands, calling for scrutiny of the nomination papers and action under the rules over the alleged concealment of facts. During attempts to persuade the protesters to disperse, an altercation broke out between police and Congress workers, followed by a scuffle. As the situation escalated, the police attempted to clear the area and used lathi-charge to disperse the protesters. Some youths were also chased away from the area. The police action led to chaos around the SDM office, Tehsil office and surrounding areas. Amid the commotion, the police arrested Congress block president Prakash Kunkuna. Congress workers subsequently raised slogans against the police action. They alleged that the administration and the police were acting under pressure and claimed that protesters were subjected to a lathi-charge during the night. Congress members informed Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Govind Singh Dotasra about the developments. Nagaur District Congress president Hanuman Bangda also reached the spot. The Congress has reiterated its demand for an inquiry into the nomination process. Dotasra condemned the police action and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was misusing power to form boards in the municipal elections. He said Congress workers in Degana were demanding a fair hearing on objections raised against a BJP candidate over alleged concealment of facts in nomination papers. He also referred to developments in Mandhan, where he alleged that elected councillors were being prevented from taking their oaths, and to the situation in Khandar, where he alleged that the family of BJP councillor Manvendra had been seeking his release after he was taken away. Dotasra said the incidents raised questions about the functioning of the police, administration and the government, and urged the BJP to accept the peoples mandate. Meanwhile, the political contest over the Chairperson's post in Kuchera Municipality has also intensified. Following the oath-taking ceremony on Thursday, some individuals allegedly attempted to stop vehicles carrying Congress-backed councillors near Jhunjhala while they were travelling to Nagaur under the leadership of outgoing Chairperson Tejpal Mirdha. According to allegations, a pickup truck and a camper vehicle were used in attempts to ram the councillors' vehicles. The councillors managed to leave the area and reached the Mundwa DSP's office, where they reported the incident. They were subsequently brought to Nagaur under police protection led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Dharam Poonia. A police contingent led by DSP Jatin Jain was also deployed outside Tejpal Mirdha's vehicle showroom on Bikaner Road. Kuchera Municipality has 12 Congress and eight BJP councillors. Four independents have extended support to the BJP camp, taking its tally to 12, while 13 councillors are required for a majority. With the numbers closely balanced, the single remaining vote, currently with the Congress, has become crucial to the Chairperson's election.
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Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 17 (IANS) A 20-year-old youth from Jaipur died after being electrocuted during the ongoing Lakkhi Mela at Devdham Jodhpuria in Tonk district. The incident took place on Wednesday night. Three women were also injured after an electric current reportedly passed through the steel railing near the temples main gate. The incident triggered panic among devotees gathered at the fair. The injured were taken to the Sub-District Hospital in Niwai for treatment. According to the information available, an electric current suddenly surged through the steel railing near the temples main entrance. Piyush Gurjar, 20, came into contact with the electrified railing and suffered a severe electric shock. Despite efforts to save him, Piyush died in the incident. The injured women have been identified as Manju Devi, 33, wife of Puran Gurjar of Dhani Narayanpur Dungri in Kotputli district, and Bina Devi, 34, wife of Badri Prasad Gurjar of Ajpura under Narayanpur police station in Kotputli district. Both women are undergoing treatment at the Sub-District Hospital in Niwai. Police and administrative officials reached the hospital and gathered information about the incident from the injured. A 17-year-old girl, Manish Gurjar, a resident of Mankot under Thanagazi police station, was also injured after coming into contact with the electric current. After receiving first aid, she was referred to Jaipur in view of her critical condition. The deceased, Piyush Gurjar, was the son of Bhanwar Singh Gurjar and a resident of Top Khana, Indira Bazar, Jaipur. After receiving information about the incident, personnel from Sadar police station reached the Sub-District Hospital. Police placed Piyushs body in the mortuary and began efforts to contact his family. A large number of devotees had gathered at Devdham Jodhpuria for the Lakkhi Mela when the incident occurred. The heavy crowd reportedly made it difficult for the ambulance to reach the injured and transport them to the hospital. The incident briefly created panic among devotees at the fair. An investigation is underway to determine how the steel railing became electrified and what caused the current to pass through it. Meanwhile, former CM Ashok Gehlot has expressed his condolences over the accident.
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