Jaipur

Raj civic polls: Re-polling today at polling stations in Jaipur, Kota and Suket

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 15 (IANS) The Rajasthan State Election Commission has ordered re-polling at select polling stations in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Suket following technical malfunctions in electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the concluded urban body polls in the state. According to the Commission on Monday, re-polling will be held at Jaipur Municipal Corporation in Ward number 9, Booth number 111; Ward number 18, Booth number 235; Ward number 25, Booth number 343; Ward number 34, Booth numbers 477 and 484. In Jodhpur Municipal Corporation, repolling will be held in Ward number 50, Booth number 338. In Kota Municipal Corporation, it will be held in ward No. 87, booth no. 99; ward no. 44, booth number 448; ward number 11, booth number 576. The Commission received complaints regarding technical malfunctions in EVMs at these polling stations. After examining reports submitted by the respective District Election Officers and Returning Officers, the Commission determined that the number of votes affected by the technical malfunction exceeded the margin of votes between the closest rival candidates. In view of this, the Commission ordered a re-poll. As per the Commission's directives, re-polling will be conducted on September 16 from 7a.m. to 6 p.m. Counting of votes polled during the re-poll will begin at 8 a.m. on September 17 at the designated location. Information regarding the date, time and polling station for the re-poll will be communicated in writing to the contesting candidates and their election agents. Voters will also be informed through extensive publicity. Notices will be displayed at the concerned municipality, the polling station and other prominent locations within the Assembly constituency. The Commission has clarified that only voters whose names appear on the electoral roll of the concerned polling station will be eligible to vote in the re-poll. Fresh indelible ink will be applied during the re-poll after removing the ink mark placed on the voter's left-hand middle finger during the original poll. The new ink mark will be applied so that it remains visible from the base of the nail to the first joint of the finger. If required, ballot papers and tendered ballot papers to be used with the EVMs will be prepared afresh. The Commission has also directed that the EVMs used during the original poll be sealed and kept in safe custody following the re-poll. The State Election Commission has instructed the concerned officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements for the re-poll are completed in a timely manner.

BJP leads Rajasthan civic polls, wins Jaipur MC board; independents emerge key players

The Bharatiya Janata Party leads Rajasthan urban local body elections, securing the Jaipur Municipal Corporation board. Independent candidates are emerging as key players in several civic bodies without clear majorities. Counting is complete in eight of ten municipal corporations across Rajasthan. The BJP is set to form boards in Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur, and Bhilwara.

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BJP victory is the result of workers' hard work, will win panchayat polls too: CM Sharma on Raj civic poll results

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on Monday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s strong performance in the concluded civic body elections was the result of the tireless efforts of party workers and the public's faith in the development agenda of the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state. Addressing the media at the state BJP headquarters, Chief Minister Sharma dedicated the party's victory to its workers and said the election verdict reflected public support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' and a 'Viksit Rajasthan'. The people of Rajasthan have once again placed their trust in the BJP, the Chief Minister said, adding that the party's workers and public representatives had worked directly among the people and helped ensure that government schemes reached beneficiaries across both rural and urban areas. He said the BJP government had fulfilled 78 per cent of the promises made in its election manifesto and would continue to honour its commitments, including those related to the development of urban local bodies. Chief Minister Sharma also expressed confidence that the BJP would replicate its civic election performance in the upcoming Panchayat elections. We (BJP) will achieve a major victory in the Panchayat elections as well, he said, attributing the party's electoral success to its organisational strength and the public's confidence in its governance. Chief Minister Sharma said the civic election results also reflected public support for the concept of 'One State, One Election'. According to the Chief Minister, voters understand that holding elections together can help save public resources, reduce administrative expenditure and allow governments to focus more consistently on development. Taking a swipe at the previous Congress government, Chief Minister Sharma claimed that during the Congress era, elections to civic bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions would often stretch over nearly two years, affecting the pace of development. He said the latest poll mandate demonstrated that people wanted elections to be conducted in a more streamlined manner so that governments and elected representatives could devote greater attention to governance and development. Chief Minister Sharma added that the BJP would treat the election mandate as a responsibility and work with greater commitment to meet public expectations. He said that the state government would continue focusing on the welfare of women, youth and the poor, while strengthening development and good governance across Rajasthan.

Former Mayor Jyoti Khandelwal Loses in Jaipur Municipal Elections as BJP Claims 23 Wards

In a surprising turn, former mayor Jyoti Khandelwal loses in Jaipur elections, while BJP secures 23 wards amid rising political tensions. Former Mayor Jyoti Khandelwal Loses in Jaipur Municipal Elections as BJP Claims 23 Wards

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Raj civic poll results: BJP to appoint Mayors in Jaipur, Udaipur, Bhilwara and Kota; Congress wins Bikaner

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) The results of elections to 10 municipal corporations in Rajasthan were declared on Monday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a majority in Jaipur, Udaipur, Bhilwara and Kota, while Congress secured a clear majority in Bikaner. Independent candidates are set to play a crucial role in board formation in Pali, Ajmer, Bharatpur and Jodhpur. Congress emerged as the largest party in Pali and Ajmer, while the BJP was the single-largest party in Alwar. Jodhpur witnessed a close contest between Congress and the BJP, while Independents emerged as the largest group in Bharatpur. Results for four wards in Jaipur and one ward in Jodhpur have been withheld due to re-polling. The results for these wards will be declared after the re-poll. Congress candidate Gazanfar Ali registered Rajasthan's biggest victory in Jaipur, winning Ward number 113 by a margin of 10,014 votes. In the high-profile Ward number 112, BJP candidate and former Jaipur Mayor Jyoti Khandelwal lost the election. Former state BJP spokesperson Vimal Katiyar also lost from Ward number 35 by 1,461 votes. Congress city district president Omkar Verma lost from Ward number 42 by 279 votes. In Ward number 51, 21-year-old Congress candidate Saraswati Prajapat won the election. Meanwhile, national-level football player and BJP candidate Vikas Raghwani won from Ward number 28. In Ward number 99, BJP candidate Nikita defeated former Congress Mayor Kunti Deora. Hitanshi Sharma, the daughter-in-law of the brother of former Union Minister Girija Vyas, won from Ward number 73. Poonam Kunwar, the wife of Udaipur city Congress president Fateh Singh Rathore, won from Ward number 17. Atul Chandaliya and Akash Vagrecha, brothers of the sons-in-law of Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, won from Ward numbers 78 and 5, respectively. Results for 99 of the 100 wards in the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation have been declared. Congress and the BJP have won 44 seats each. Independents secured 10 seats, while one seat went to a candidate from the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP). The result for one ward has been withheld and will be declared after a re-poll at one of the booths. With Congress and the BJP tied at 44 seats each, Independent Councillors are likely to play a decisive role in the race for the Mayor's post. Following the Rajasthan civic body results, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and State BJP President Madan Rathore celebrated with party workers at the state BJP office. Supporters of Independent candidate Vikram Singh, who won from Ward number 29 in Jaipur, also celebrated his victory. BJP candidate Sunil Kothari's supporters celebrated his victory from Ward number 112 of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot accused the BJP government of using police pressure to influence Congress and Independent Councillors following the civic body poll results. Gehlot on social media platform X said that the BJP, attled by its defeat in the urban body elections, was allegedly attempting to influence Independent and Congress Councillors in Jodhpur and Alwar to secure Mayoral posts. He also alleged that the BJP was misusing the police to achieve this. State BJP President Madan Rathore described the election results as public approval of the state government's development work. He said the BJP had received wo-and-a-half to three times more support than last time and claimed that the party had achieved 90 per cent success in the municipal corporations. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also termed the civic poll results an endorsement of the state government's work over the past two-and-a-half years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He dedicated the victory to the people and BJP workers. Re-polling will be held at five polling booths in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation area following technical malfunctions in EVMs. The booths are Number 111 in Ward number 9, Number 235 in Ward number 18, Number 343 in Ward number 25, and Booth numbers 477 and 484 in Ward number 34. The votes from these booths could not be counted due to the technical problems. The re-poll will determine the final results in the affected wards. Results for Rajasthan's 47 municipal councils and 252 municipalities were also declared on Monday. The results will determine the political balance in the state's urban local bodies, followed by contests for the posts of Chairpersons and Presidents. Key results from Bikaner, Kota, Udaipur, Alwar, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Pali and Bhilwara have emerged as important indicators of the political strength of the BJP, Congress and Independent candidates across Rajasthan.

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Raj civic polls: Re-polling ordered at some polling stations in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) The Rajasthan State Election Commission on Monday ordered re-polling at select polling stations in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Suket following technical malfunctions in electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the concluded urban civic body elections in the state. According to the Commission, re-polling will be held at Jaipur Municipal Corporation: Ward No. 9, Booth No. 111; Ward No. 18, Booth No. 235; Ward No. 25, Booth No. 343; Ward No. 34, Booth Nos. 477 and 484, Jodhpur Municipal Corporation: Ward No. 50, Booth No. 338, Kota Municipal Corporation: Ward No. 87, Booth No. 99; Ward No. 44, Booth No. 448; Ward No. 11, Booth No. 576 and Suket Municipality: Ward No. 4 and Booth No. 5. The Commission received complaints regarding technical malfunctions in EVMs at these polling stations. After examining reports submitted by the respective District Election Officers and Returning Officers, the Commission found that the number of votes potentially affected by the technical malfunction exceeded the margin between the closest rival candidates. The Commission therefore decided to order re-polling at these stations. As per the Commission's directives, re-polling will be conducted on September 16 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Counting of votes polled during the re-poll will take place on September 17 from 8 a.m. at the designated counting centre. Information regarding the date, time and polling station for the re-poll will be communicated in writing to the contesting candidates and their election agents. Voters will also be informed through extensive publicity. Notices will be displayed at the concerned municipality offices, polling stations and other prominent locations within the respective Assembly constituencies. The Commission has clarified that only voters whose names appear on the electoral roll of the concerned polling station will be eligible to vote in the re-poll. Fresh indelible ink will be applied during the re-poll after removing the ink mark placed on the voter's left-hand middle finger during the original polling. The fresh mark will be applied from the base of the nail to the first joint of the finger. If required, ballot papers and tendered ballot papers to be used in connection with the EVMs will be prepared afresh. The Commission has also directed that the EVMs used during the original polling be sealed and kept in safe custody following the re-poll. The State Election Commission has instructed the concerned officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements for the re-poll are completed in a timely manner.

Rajasthan urban local body polls: BJP claims victory, Congress raises red flag over delimitation and narrow margins

Assistant Engineer Arrested Taking

Jaipur, September 14, 2026: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Govind Prasad, Assistant Engineer at Panchayat Samiti Bhusawar in Bharatpur district, red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of 30,000 from a complainant. The action was carried out on Monday by the ACB Bharatpur unit following directions from the ACB headquarters. According to ACB Director General of ... Read more Assistant Engineer Arrested Taking 30,000 Bribe in Bharatpur

Civic poll results an indication of BJPs expanding presence across Rajasthan: Sudhanshu Trivedi

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi credited the partys strong performance in the Rajasthan civic body elections to the support of voters and the efforts of BJP workers and the organisation. Speaking about the election results, Trivedi said, Congress held the elections in several phases, but even after that, it could not achieve success. We express our gratitude to the people of Rajasthan for this mandate and thank the workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He also praised the BJPs organisational machinery, state leadership and party workers for their efforts during the elections. Trivedi highlighted the BJPs performance in districts where the party had struggled in the previous civic elections. He pointed out that in Bundi, Dausa, Hanumangarh, Karauli, Dholpur and Bharatpur, the BJP had previously failed to form even a single municipal board. Once again, it has become clear that even in those places where not a single BJP board could be formed last time, the Bharatiya Janata Party is now making impressive progress, Trivedi said. He described the results as an indication of the BJPs expanding organisational and electoral presence across Rajasthan, including in districts that had previously been difficult territory for the party. Earlier, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said the BJPs strong performance in the Rajasthan civic body elections was the result of the tireless efforts of party workers and the publics faith in the development agenda of the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state. Addressing the media at the state BJP headquarters on Monday, Sharma dedicated the partys victory to its workers and said the election verdict reflected public support for Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a Viksit Bharat and a Viksit Rajasthan. The people of Rajasthan have once again placed their trust in the BJP, Sharma said, adding that the partys workers and public representatives worked directly among the people and helped ensure that government schemes reached beneficiaries across both rural and urban areas. The Chief Minister said the BJP government had fulfilled 78 per cent of the promises made in its election manifesto and would continue to honour its commitments, including those related to the development of urban local bodies. Sharma also expressed confidence that the BJP would replicate its civic election performance in the upcoming Panchayat elections. We will achieve a major victory in the Panchayat elections as well, he said, attributing the partys electoral success to its organisational strength and the publics confidence in its governance. Sharma said the civic election results also reflected public support for the concept of One State, One Election. According to the Chief Minister, voters understand that holding elections together can help save public resources, reduce administrative expenditure and allow governments to focus more consistently on development. Taking a swipe at the previous Congress government, Sharma claimed that during the Congress era, elections to civic bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions would often stretch over nearly two years, affecting the pace of development. He said the latest mandate demonstrated that people wanted elections to be conducted in a more streamlined manner so that governments and elected representatives could devote greater attention to governance and development. Sharma said the BJP would treat the election mandate as a responsibility and work with greater commitment to meet public expectations. He added that the government would continue focusing on the welfare of women, youth and the poor, while strengthening development and good governance across Rajasthan.

Raj civic polls: Jaipur voters have blessed party on Ganesh Chaturthi, says BJP MP

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) Jaipur Lok Sabha MP Manju Sharma expressed gratitude to the people of the city in Rajasthan following the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s victory in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation elections, saying the party received the blessings of Lord Ganesha on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. She said the people of Jaipur had placed their faith in BJP candidates and given the party a strong mandate. She described the result as an endorsement of the development agenda of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre and the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government in Rajasthan. According to Manju Sharma, the election verdict reflects the public's confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the performance of Chief Minister Sharma. She said the people had voted decisively in favour of the BJP's 'Lotus' symbol, paving the way for a riple-engine government at the Centre, in the state, and in Jaipur's municipal administration. On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, the people of Jaipur have blessed the BJP and placed their trust in the party, Sharma said, expressing her gratitude for the mandate. The BJP Lok Sabha MP said the election victory was not merely a political achievement but also a responsibility to deliver on the expectations of Jaipur's residents. She assured that the party would work towards strengthening development, improving governance and ensuring the overall growth of the city. Sharma said the BJP would make every effort to honour the trust placed in it by the people and work with dedication to transform Jaipur further. She added that the mandate would motivate the BJP and its representatives to work with greater commitment and ensure that the benefits of government schemes and development projects reach the people. The blessings of the people of Jaipur also bring a greater responsibility. We will work with full commitment to live up to their expectations, she said.

Rajasthan civic polls: Congress' Rakesh Kumar Lata wins Jaipur's Ward 21

Congress candidate Rakesh Kumar Lata defeated BJP's Ajay Singh Chauhan by 127 votes in Jaipur Municipal Corporation Ward 21. The victory came as counting continued across Rajasthan, with both parties claiming an edge in the ongoing 2026 municipal elections

Cong holds Tonk fort, BJP sweeps five municipalities; Deoli, Niwai face hung boards

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) The civic body election results in Rajasthan's Tonk district have redrawn local political equations, with the Congress retaining control of the Tonk Municipal Council, while the BJP emerged dominant across five other municipalities, underlining its growing footprint in the district. The Congress won 32 of the 59 wards declared in Tonk, securing a clear majority and retaining control of the municipal council. The result is being viewed as a significant political boost for former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, whose Assembly constituency is Tonk. The BJP won 19 wards, while 8 seats went to independents. The council has 60 wards, but no election was held in Ward 2, leaving 59 wards for which results were declared. While the Congress maintained its grip on Tonk, the BJP registered decisive victories in Malpura, Todaraisingh, Lambaharisingh, Diggi and Dooni. The BJP secured clear majorities in these five municipalities, making the formation of their municipal boards largely straightforward. The results are being seen as a major political gain for the BJP in the district. The victories in Lambaharisingh, Diggi and Dooni are particularly significant as these bodies have recently been upgraded from gram panchayats to municipalities. The BJP's strong performance in its first municipal elections has strengthened its position in the newly created urban bodies. Except for Dooni, the other three bodies are located in the Malpura Assembly constituency, represented by Rajasthan Water Supply Minister Kanhaiyalal Chaudhary. The political picture remains uncertain in Deoli, where the BJP fell just one seat short of the majority mark. Of the 35 wards, the BJP won 17, Congress secured 8, and independents won 10. Since 18 councillors are required to form the board, the BJP will need support from at least one independent councillor. The independents have therefore emerged as the key players in the board formation. While the BJP is expected to approach them, the Congress could also attempt to influence the final equation. In Niwai, the Congress emerged as the single largest party but failed to secure a majority. As a result, the party's lead in seats alone will not be enough to guarantee control of the municipal board. Independent councillors are once again expected to play a crucial role, with both major parties likely to explore possibilities to secure the numbers needed for board formation. The BJP has also come close to the majority mark in Piplu, making independent councillors potentially decisive here as well. Overall, the Tonk civic election results present a mixed picture. The Congress has successfully defended its political stronghold in Tonk, while the BJP has made significant gains across five municipalities. With Deoli, Niwai and Piplu still dependent on post-election political negotiations, the focus now shifts to the independent councillors whose support could determine who controls these municipal boards.

Rajasthan local body polls: BJP has clear edge over Congress, wins 4,171 wards

Rajasthan civic polls: Congress wins Pali, bastion of BJP's Madan Rathore

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) The Congress has delivered a major blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan's Pali Municipal Corporation, turning the party's traditional stronghold into a closely contested political battleground. Pali is the home district of Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore, who has served as the party's Pali district president several times and was a two-time MLA from Sumerpur. In a significant setback for the BJP, Congress not only emerged as the single largest party in the 65-member Municipal Corporation but also defeated the BJP in Rathore's own ward. Congress won 29 of the 65 wards, while the BJP secured 21 seats. Independent candidates emerged victorious in 15 wards. Although Congress fell short of the 33 seats required for an outright majority, it finished eight seats ahead of the BJP. The result marks a major political setback for the BJP, which had controlled the Pali local body for the past 10 years. The Congress' victory is particularly significant because of Pali's association with Madan Rathore. Rathore has held the position of BJP district president in Pali multiple times and remains one of the party's prominent leaders from the region. The loss of his own ward further underlines the extent of the Congress' poll performance. However, despite emerging as the largest party, Congress cannot form the municipal board on its own. With 15 Independent Councillors holding the balance of power, the Congress will need to secure their support to reach the majority mark and stake its claim to the Mayor's post. The BJP, meanwhile, is also expected to try to win over the Independent Councillors in an effort to prevent Congress from taking control of the civic body. The coming days are therefore likely to see intense political negotiations, with Independent Councillors potentially emerging as kingmakers in Pali. The Pali bypoll result is being viewed as one of the most significant outcomes of the Rajasthan local body elections, particularly because Congress has managed to make substantial gains in an area closely associated with the BJP's state unit leadership.

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Former Mayor Jyoti Khandelwal loses Jaipur civic poll, BJP wins 23 wards

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) In a major upset in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation election, former mayor Jyoti Khandelwal, who switched from the Congress to the BJP, has suffered defeat. Khandelwal was considered one of the BJP's prominent faces and a potential contender for the mayor's post if the party secured a majority. Her defeat is a significant setback to the BJP's calculations for the mayoral race and could further expose internal differences within the party. Khandelwal's defeat comes amid reports of dissent over her candidature and local-level opposition during the election campaign. Meanwhile, the BJP has taken the lead in the Jaipur civic polls. According to the latest results, the BJP has won 23 of the 150 wards, while the Congress has secured 16 and Independents four. Results for 132 wards have been declared so far, with counting continuing for the remaining wards. The verdict in the closely watched electoral battle across all 150 wards of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation will be revealed on Monday, with vote counting underway at the counting centre established at Shri Bhawani Niketan College on Sikar Road. Polling for the 150 wards was held on September 11, with Jaipur recording a voter turnout of 63.55 per cent. A total of 723 candidates were in the fray, and their electoral fate was sealed in the EVMs. As counting progresses, the results will determine which political party will control the municipal board in the Pink City. The two principal contenders, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, had both claimed before counting that they would form the municipal board with a clear majority. However, the presence of Independent candidates and party rebels in several wards has added uncertainty to the final outcome. The District Election Commission has organised the counting process in phases, with 15 control rooms and more than 150 counting tables deployed for the exercise. Meanwhile, one of the biggest upsets of the election has been the defeat of former mayor Jyoti Khandelwal, who had switched from the Congress to the BJP. Political observers believe that a combination of internal dissent, local-level opposition and a strong Congress challenge may have contributed to her defeat. The result could also intensify factional differences within the BJP as the party assesses its prospects for controlling the municipal board. According to the latest results recorded so far, the BJP has won 69 wards, while the Congress has secured 49. Independent candidates have won 14 wards, taking the total number of declared results to 132. With results still awaited in some wards, the final composition of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation will determine whether the BJP can cross the majority mark on its own or whether Independents and other candidates will become crucial to government formation. The outcome is particularly significant because control of the Jaipur municipal board will determine the political leadership of one of Rajasthan's most important urban centres. The remaining ward-wise results are being declared as counting continues, with the final numbers expected to provide a clearer picture of the contest for the mayoral post.

Sikar civic poll: Clash erupts after Congress victory; stone-pelting reported in Ward 17

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) Tensions erupted in Sikar shortly after the municipal election results were announced, with supporters of the Congress and an Independent candidate clashing in Ward 17. The Congress emerged as the largest party in the Sikar municipal elections, winning 38 of the 65 wards and securing a clear majority. The BJP won 22 wards, while Independents secured 4 seats and the RLP won 1 ward. The result in Ward 17 was particularly significant as Congress candidate Tasleem defeated Independent candidate Arshin to win the ward. However, a confrontation ensued soon after the results were announced, with stone-pelting between the two groups, leaving several people injured. Police reached the spot after receiving information about the clash and detained several people in connection with the incident. The situation was brought under control, and further action is being taken. The Congress' strong performance gives it a clear advantage in the formation of the municipal board. However, the post-result violence in Ward 17 has raised concerns over tensions between rival groups following the election. Police are monitoring the situation in the area to prevent any further escalation. Meanwhile, in Jodhpur, vote counting for a seat in Ward No. 50 was halted after a technical glitch was reported in an EVM at a polling booth. Following the issue, the Returning Officer sought guidance from the State Election Commission. A decision on the next course of action will be taken after receiving the Commission's directions. A re-poll at the affected booth is likely. For now, counting for the seat has been put on hold by election officials. District Election Officer and District Collector Sandesh Nayak said vote counting in Jaipur was conducted across 2,254 polling booths covering 150 wards. More than 5,000 candidate agents were present during the counting process, which was completed in 302 rounds. So far, the BJP has secured 66 seats, Congress 43, while Independent candidates have won 13 seats.

Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple

Jaipur's Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple witnessed a massive gathering ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, as devotees arrived for its annual Sinjara Mahotsav. The festival's special mehendi prasad has long been associated with a popular local belief, particularly among those hoping to overcome

BJP leads with 57 Jaipur wards in municipal elections as counting continues

The News Mill

Raj civic poll results: After 36 years of rule in Ajmer, BJP faces defeat; Independents emerge as 'kingmakers'

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) The Congress party has emerged as the largest party in the Ajmer Municipal Corporation election, winning 37 of the 80 wards. The BJP secured 32 seats, while Independent candidates won 11. With neither major party reaching the 41-seat majority mark, Independents are set to play a crucial role in determining the next municipal board. The results mark a significant setback for the BJP, which had controlled Ajmer's municipal board for the past 36 years. In the previous election, the BJP won 48 seats, compared with 18 for Congress, one for the RLP and 13 for Independents. This time, the BJP has slipped behind the Congress party. One of the biggest upsets came in Ward 59, where Congress candidate Babita Chauhan defeated the BJP's Madhu Shekhawat. Madhu, wife of former chairman Surendra Singh Shekhawat, was considered a strong contender for the mayor's post. Another closely watched result came from Ward 4, where Monica Jain, who had switched from Congress to the BJP, defeated her rival. The ward is considered a stronghold of Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani. Hema Gehlot, wife of former mayor Dharmendra Gehlot, who had left the BJP, also faced defeat. The 80 wards saw a total of 360 candidates in the contest. According to the election figures, 77 Congress candidates, 79 BJP candidates and 204 Independents and candidates from other parties were in the fray. Ajmer Municipal Corporation has 4,38,039 registered voters, of whom 2,86,823 exercised their franchise. The overall voter turnout was 65.48 per cent. With 11 Independent councillors holding the balance, both Congress and BJP may now have to negotiate to secure the numbers needed to form the board. In Ward 80, 21-year-old Kashyapi Sankhla, daughter of BJP leader Chandresh Sankhla, won the election. She is among the youngest councillors to win in the current round of urban local body elections. Following her victory, her father thanked the residents of the ward. Meanwhile, former BJP councillor Ruby Jain, who rebelled against the party and contested as an Independent from Ward 74, also secured a victory. After her win, Ruby said the people themselves had ensured that her nomination was filed and described the victory as one of the public. The Ajmer results have altered the political equation in the city, with the BJP losing its long-standing dominance and Independent councillors emerging as the potential kingmakers in the formation of the next municipal board.

Raj civic polls: Cong wins Vasundhara Raje's stronghold Jhalawar; Independents upset equations in Bharatpur

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) In a major shake-up, Congress has managed to retain control of Jhalawar, the stronghold of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, as results for Rajasthan's 47 Municipal Councils and 252 Municipalities have started coming in. In the Jhalawar Municipal Council, the Congress party has won 29 of the 45 wards. The BJP secured 13 wards, Independents won two, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won one. Also, Independent candidates have pulled off a major upset in the Bharatpur Municipal Corporation election, winning 36 of the total 65 wards and emerging as the dominant political force. The BJP secured 20 wards, while the Congress won seven, the BSP one, and the RLP one. The BJP has secured a majority in the Barmer Municipal Council after 15 years. The party won 29 of the 55 wards. The Aam Aadmi Party has emerged as a surprise winner in the Baran Municipal Council, securing a clear majority with victories in 31 of the 60 wards. The Congress party won 18 wards, the BJP nine, and Independents two. In the Churu Municipal Council, the BJP has won 30 of the 60 wards, while Congress secured 24 and Independent candidates won six. The BJP is leading in the Nagaur Municipal Council, although former district president Ramniwas Sankhla suffered defeat in Ward 7. In Ward 10, Praveen Solanki of the Congress, son of former chairman Kriparam Solanki, won the election. Praveen's maternal uncle and former chairman, Mangilal Bhati, had supported the BJP candidate. Yash Jaldhari of the BJP, grandson of former MLA Ratanlal Jaldhari, has won from Ward 11 of the Sikar Municipal Council. In the Jaisalmer Municipal Council, results for 21 wards have been declared so far. BJP candidates have won 12 wards, while Congress has secured six, and Independents three. The results will determine the political fate of more than 35,000 candidates contesting elections across Rajasthan's Municipal Councils and Municipalities. Voting for the urban local body elections was conducted in two phases on September 9 and 11. The first phase recorded a voter turnout of 76.41 per cent in 162 urban bodies, while 71.69 per cent turnout was registered in the second phase in 147 urban bodies.

Caught on CCTV: Jaipur Man Accused of Killing Wife, 3 Daughters Arrested Outside Hotel In Reengus

A major breakthrough in the Jaipur family murder case as police arrest 45-year-old Rahul Jha, accused of killing his wife and three daughters. Jha was tracked through CCTV footage and arrested outside a hotel in Reengus, Sikar. Police say he has confessed to the murders. Blood-stained clothes and his switched-off mobile phone were recovered from the family home. Investigators are probing the reported family discord and the motive behind the killings.

Indian man moves to US for job, forgets to file ITR; here's why ITAT Jaipur still canceled penalty

After relocating to the US in 2018, a taxpayer missed his income tax return deadline in India, leading to a penalty of 8.29 lakh. The ITAT Jaipur eventually ruled in his favor. Here's why.

Jaipur Municipal Corporation Election 2026: Complete list of ward and party-wise winners

Voting for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation elections began on Monday, with counting underway after 63.55% of voters exercised their franchise across all 150 wards on September 11. Shri Bhawani Niketan College of Pharmacy on Sikar...

Rajasthan Municipal Election Result 2026 Live: BJP vs Congress, who is winning where?

Rajasthan Election Result 2026 Live: Counting for urban local body elections began at 8 am on Monday across the state. The BJP has taken an early lead over Congress in the initial declared wards, while results from major cities including Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota are being closely watched. The outcome will be a key test for the Bhajan Lal Sharma government and Congress's state organisation ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.

Jaipur murder case: Police arrest man accused of killing wife, daughters

A reward of Rs 25,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest on Saturday

Raj civic polls: Results for 309 urban bodies to be declared today

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) The results of elections to 309 urban local bodies in Rajasthan will be declared on Monday, determining the fate of 38,889 candidates and setting the stage for the formation of governing boards in 10 Municipal Corporations, 47 Municipal Councils and 252 Municipalities. Vote counting began at 8 a.m., with results for all urban local bodies expected to be declared by the afternoon. The simultaneous counting will also set the stage for political negotiations over the formation of boards, with the BJP, Congress, other parties and Independent councillors expected to engage in post-result manoeuvring. The elections were held in two phases on September 9 and 11, with counting taking place simultaneously across the state. In most urban local bodies, votes will be counted at the respective headquarters. In Bikaner, however, counting will be conducted at the district headquarters. A total voter turnout of 73.56 per cent was recorded across the two phases, more than three percentage points higher than the turnout in the previous urban local body elections. The election featured candidates from major political parties as well as a large number of independents. The BJP fielded 9,290 candidates, while the Congress fielded 9,027. Independent candidates accounted for 18,732 contestants. Other parties in the fray included the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) with 948 candidates, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with 311, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with 298, the CPI(M) with 185 and the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) with 98 candidates. The large number of Independent candidates could prove significant during the subsequent process of board formation, particularly in closely contested urban local bodies where neither major party secures a clear majority. The State Election Commission has made arrangements to publish counting results and updates on its website. As counting progresses, city-wise and urban-body-wise standings are expected to emerge throughout the day. The simultaneous declaration of results is also expected to compress the time available for parties to consolidate numbers and negotiate the formation of governing boards. For the BJP, the results will be a test of its ability to overturn the Congress' performance in the previous urban local body elections, while the party is currently in power in Rajasthan. The Congress, meanwhile, faces the challenge of demonstrating that its urban support base remains intact despite the change in government. BJP leaders have claimed that the party will succeed in forming boards in more than 200 urban local bodies. The Congress has not announced a specific target but has expressed confidence about its performance. Senior leaders of both parties spent Sunday assessing likely outcomes and calculating numbers ahead of the results. For the first time in Rajasthan, results for all 309 urban local bodies are being declared simultaneously under the 'One State-One Election' model. Previously, urban local body elections were conducted in separate phases, with the overall electoral process extending over more than a year. Monday's results will therefore provide an early indication of whether the new simultaneous-election model alters the political dynamics traditionally associated with local body polls. The results will also offer a broader reading of the political mood in urban Rajasthan and indicate whether the earlier electoral pattern continues or whether the incumbent party gains an advantage from being in power at the state level. Between 2019 and 2021, elections to 196 urban local bodies were conducted in five phases when the Congress was in power in Rajasthan. Of the 7,500 wards contested during that election cycle, the Congress won 3,036, while the BJP secured 2,676. Independent candidates and other parties won 1,788 wards. However, ward-level victories did not automatically translate into control of urban local bodies. The subsequent board formation process highlighted the importance of negotiations with Independent councillors and smaller parties. The Congress eventually formed boards in 125 of the 196 urban local bodies, while the BJP formed boards in 64. Independent candidates and other parties succeeded in forming boards in seven local bodies. The 2026 results will therefore determine more than individual ward winners. The crucial political test will be whether the BJP, Congress or other groups can convert their electoral numbers into actual control of urban local bodies across Rajasthan. With counting underway simultaneously across the state, the results are expected to provide both a verdict on local candidates and a significant indicator of the current political mood in urban Rajasthan.

After killing wife, 3 daughters, Jaipur man fled to temple seeking divine blessings

A man absconding after his wife and three daughters' murders was arrested Sunday. Rahul Jha was tracked down using CCTV footage and information from hotel staff. He confessed to the murders, citing family discord and strained relationships. Police recovered blood-stained clothes and his switched-off mobile phone from the home. The accused was brought to Jaipur after his apprehension in Reengus.

Jaipur Municipal Corporation Election Results LIVE: Counting of votes to begin at 8 am, 723 candidates in fray

Voting for 150 wards of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation in Rajasthan was held on September 11. The counting of votes will start at 8 am today. The election saw the highest number of candidates in Jaipur, with 723 candidates in the fray. More than 24.23 lakh voters will decide who will take charge of their respective wards for the next term. A total of 2,256 polling booths were set up across Jaipur for the elections. Apart from candidates fielded by the BJP and Congress, nominees from regional parties, independents and various organisations also contested the polls.

Beyond the New Delhi Declaration

The success of Indias BRICS presidency should not be measured merely by the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration. Declarations are important diplomatic instruments, but their real value lies in what they enable beyond the conference hall. For India, the larger dividend of its BRICS leadership lies in diplomacy, security, bilateral engagement, economic opportunities, institutional reform and, importantly, in strengthening its voice in shaping the emerging international order. India assumed the BRICS chair at a particularly turbulent moment. The international system is witnessing geopolitical rivalry, wars, protectionism, sanctions, fragmented supply chains, technological competition and growing dissatisfaction with the existing architecture of global governance. Against this backdrop, New Delhi had the difficult task of keeping an increasingly diverse BRICS together while ensuring that Indias own strategic and developmental interests remained firmly on the agenda. The outcome, therefore, needs to be assessed on a wider canvas than the summit declaration. A significant diplomatic gain One of the most important gains for India is the continuing effort to place terrorism firmly at the centre of the BRICS security agenda. The condemnation of the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir at the BRICS level was particularly significant. India had argued that condemnation of terrorism must be a matter of principle, not diplomatic convenience. The BRICS consensus gave political weight to that position. For New Delhi, this is more than a symbolic statement. Cross-border terrorism affecting Jammu & Kashmir has long been one of Indias central security concerns. India has consistently maintained that terrorism cannot be compartmentalised according to political convenience and that there can be no distinction between good and bad terrorism. The significance of raising the issue in BRICS is that Indias security concerns are thereby located within the larger international struggle against terrorism rather than treated merely as a bilateral India-Pakistan issue. The next step must be practical. BRICS cooperation should produce stronger mechanisms against terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation, safe havens and terrorist networks. India should continue to press for international accountability of those who sponsor, facilitate or finance terrorism. The Pahalgam reference thus represents an important diplomatic gainbut its real value will depend upon whether political condemnation evolves into sustained multilateral action. An institutional legacy Perhaps the most consequential institutional idea associated with Indias presidency is the strengthening of the BRICS Troikathe previous, current and incoming presidencies. BRICS has grown substantially in membership and ambition. Its agenda now covers political and security cooperation, trade, finance, technology, health, agriculture, climate, energy and people-to-people relations. Such expansion makes continuity increasingly important. The annual change of chairmanship can otherwise produce discontinuity. An initiative launched by one presidency may lose momentum under the next. A stronger Troika can preserve institutional memory, coordinate priorities and ensure that important initiatives survive changes in leadership. For India, the strategic advantage is obvious. New Delhis influence need not end when its chairmanship ends. It can continue to participate in the institutional steering process and help ensure that priorities launched under its presidency are carried forward. The proposed use of a digital mechanism to track decisions, responsibilities and implementation can complement the Troika. This could transform BRICS from a largely summit-driven grouping into a more continuous institution. The Troika also has geopolitical significance. An expanded BRICS brings together countries with very different political systems, economic interests and foreign-policy orientations. India and China remain strategic competitors even as dialogue improves; Russia has a distinct relationship with China and the West; Iran and the Gulf countries have complex regional interests. BRICS therefore requires managed diversity, not artificial uniformity. Indias vision of the Troika can help preserve BRICS as a platform for a multipolar and inclusive world rather than allowing it to become an anti-Western bloc. The real success of a presidency is not merely how effectively a country conducts its year in office, but how much of its vision survives after it leaves office. If the Troika becomes an effective continuity mechanism, Indias institutional legacy could extend well beyond 2026. The China dividend The BRICS platform has also provided India with valuable diplomatic space for high-level engagement with China. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping is important not because it resolves the complex India-China relationship, but because sustained dialogue is indispensable to managing it. Indias interests require peace and tranquillity along the border, greater economic balance, protection of national-security interests and continued diplomatic communication. China, meanwhile, remains an important economic and geopolitical power whose influence cannot be ignored. BRICS gives both countries a multilateral setting in which engagement can take place without requiring either side to abandon its larger strategic position. For India, the objective should be neither confrontation for its own sake nor premature normalisation. It should be competitive coexistence with safeguards, reciprocity and respect for Indias sovereignty and security interests. Russia and strategic autonomy The Russia dimension is equally important. Indias relationship with Russia has historically rested on strategic trust, defence cooperation, energy, nuclear power and space. In the present geopolitical environment, however, the relationship requires diversification and modernisation. BRICS provides India with an additional platform to broaden the relationship into trade, technology, energy, connectivity and industrial cooperation. At the same time, Indias Russia policy reinforces the larger principle of strategic autonomy. New Delhis relationships with Russia and the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and other partners demonstrate that India does not view international relations through the prism of exclusive alliances. That autonomy is becoming increasingly valuable in a fragmented world. The Global South dividend The most enduring political gain from Indias BRICS presidency may be the strengthening of its claim to leadership of the Global South. India has repeatedly argued that emerging and developing economies deserve greater representation in institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the IMF and the World Bank. BRICS provides an important coalition-building platform for that objective. But Indias aspiration should go beyond rhetorical leadership. It should seek practical partnerships in development finance, food and energy security, health, climate resilience, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, agriculture and capacity-building. Indias advantage is that it can speak simultaneously to the developed world and the developing world. It has relationships with Washington and Moscow, Brussels and Beijing, Tokyo and the Gulf, while retaining strong political and economic links across Africa, Latin America and Asia. This gives New Delhi the possibility of becoming a bridge power in an increasingly divided international system. Rhetoric to economic opportunity Economic cooperation is another major area in which India can secure tangible gains. During its chairmanship, India has promoted greater intra-BRICS trade, services, MSME access to finance, resilient supply chains and diversification of global value chains. The Jaipur Consensus and guiding principles for MSME credit are examples of efforts to move towards practical economic cooperation. The discussion on greater use of national currencies and cross-border payment mechanisms is also important. India should approach this issue pragmatically. BRICS need not create a common currency to reduce transaction costs or improve financial resilience. Interoperable payment systems, local-currency settlement and compatible financial infrastructure could themselves generate significant benefits. Indias experience with digital public infrastructure gives it an opportunity to contribute technologically as well as politically. Technology as the new instrument of influence Indias digital transformation is another under-appreciated BRICS asset. Digital public infrastructure, fintech, artificial intelligence, digital health, agriculture technology and affordable technological solutions can become important instruments of Indias development diplomacy. For many developing countries, the Indian model is attractive precisely because it seeks scale and affordability rather than dependence on expensive infrastructure. If India succeeds in making its digital platforms, standards and institutional expertise useful to BRICS partners, it will gain not only commercial opportunities but also standards-setting power. That is a subtler and potentially more durable form of geopolitical influence. A multilateral summit that multiplies bilateral gains One of the practical advantages of hosting BRICS is that a multilateral summit creates multiple bilateral opportunities. India can use the BRICS network to deepen relations in trade, investment, energy, connectivity, education, technology, tourism and culture with member and partner countries. The significance of these bilateral conversations should not be underestimated. In contemporary diplomacy, multilateral platforms often function as accelerators for bilateral negotiations. A successful presidency therefore produces a multiplier effect: one multilateral platform generates many bilateral conversations and potential partnerships. Legal and institutional diplomacy Indias BRICS presidency has also expanded into less traditional areas of diplomacy, including judicial and legal cooperation. The BRICS Justice Ministers engagement on mediation and arbitration, for example, has sought to strengthen capacity-building, institutional reform and cooperation in alternative dispute resolution. For a rapidly expanding trading and investment relationship among BRICS countries, predictable and efficient dispute-resolution mechanisms can have considerable economic significance. Indias legal institutions, universities and professional bodies can thereby become part of a broader network of Global South institutional cooperation. The strategic message The larger strategic message of Indias BRICS presidency is perhaps best captured in three propositions: India can convene without aligning; lead without dominating; and cooperate without surrendering strategic autonomy. This is particularly important because BRICS itself is not homogeneous. Its members have different political systems, economic models and strategic priorities. Its expansion gives it greater geographical weight but simultaneously makes consensus more difficult. Indias success should therefore not be judged by whether BRICS becomes a counterweight to the West. That would be too narrow and ultimately contrary to Indias interests. New Delhis greater objective should be a more representative, multipolar and inclusive international order, in which BRICS is one important pillar but not an instrument of confrontation. The unfinished task The real test begins after the summit. India must ensure that its BRICS initiatives do not remain confined to declarations, seminars and working groups. The next phase must focus on implementationgreater trade and investment, interoperable payment systems, technology partnerships, resilient supply chains, energy cooperation, development finance and mobility of skilled professionals. Similarly, the commitment to combating terrorism must translate into stronger cooperation against terrorist financing, radicalisation and transnational networks. And the Troika must become more than a ceremonial arrangement. It should be empowered to monitor implementation, preserve institutional memory and carry forward the priorities of successive presidencies. India should also continue using BRICS to build support for reform of the global governance architecture while maintaining constructive relations with the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and other partners. Beyond the Declaration The New Delhi Declaration is therefore only one measure of Indias BRICS success. The deeper gains lie in the diplomatic space India has created with China and Russia; the reaffirmation of its strategic autonomy; the strengthening of its Global South credentials; the internationalisation of its technological and developmental experience; the opportunity to expand trade and investment; the elevation of terrorismincluding the Pahalgam attack in Jammu & Kashmirwithin the BRICS security discourse; and the possibility of institutionalising continuity through the Power Troika. Indias greatest BRICS dividend may ultimately be neither economic nor diplomatic in isolation. It is the gradual transformation of convening power into agenda-setting power. In a fractured world, countries that can bring competing interests to the same table acquire influence disproportionate to their formal power. India has demonstrated that capacity. The challenge now is to convert it into enduring institutions, measurable outcomes and a sustained voice in shaping the international order. The true success of Indias BRICS presidency will not be what was written in the Declaration at New Delhi, but what the world does with the ideas, partnerships and institutions that India leaves behind. Author is a noted Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court and a geo political analyst.

Automobile service station near Delhi-Jaipur Expressway gutted in fire

Man accused of Kardhani quadruple murder held outside Sikar hotel

Rajasthan United FC signs ace defender Pawan Pattem on a two-year deal

Sept Jaipur Polo Season 2026: Night Polo craze continues as Padmanabhs Team Jaipur beat Team All Stars to win RPC Cup-II crown

GreenFit Marathon Season-3: Jaipur MP Manju Sharma unveils poster as over 7,000 registrations receive for Sept 27 race

Bundi couple found dead in locked room, police suspect suicide

Three friends killed in Alwar crash

Drugs worth Rs 30cr dropped by Pak drone seized in Sriganganagar

Kota medical student becomes youngest ACP India researcher awardee

Rs 70L ambergris, whale-derived substance, seized in Bikaner; 1 held

High turnout marks Ward 62 repoll in Jaipur

1,008 candidates to reappear for state eligibility exam after paper delay at two centres

Results for Jaipurs 19 ULBs today

Raj civic polls: Dotasras third test, mid-term verdict on BJP govt

BJP to launch month-long Seva Sankalp campaign on PMs birthday

Ex-ASG among 3 threatened over SC case on relocation of coaching institutes

AI flight makes emergency landing in Jaipur

ACB arrests Sambhar Lake SHO in 50k bribery case

Air India Mumbai-Dehradun flight diverted to Lucknow due to bad weather

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) An Air India flight from Mumbai to Dehradun was diverted to Lucknow on Sunday, according to the airline. As per Air India's flight status, the Mumbai-Dehradun flight -- AI431 -- diverted to Lucknow. While reports claim that the flight was unable to land in Dehradun as weather conditions and visibility were not favourable. Following directions from Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft was diverted to Lucknow and landed safely at the airport at 4:45 pm. The flight was cleared to continue its journey after weather conditions in Dehradun improved, the reports said. The aircraft departed from Lucknow for Dehradun at around 6 pm, as per Air India's website. Earlier in the day, Air India's flight from Bhopal to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur due to a technical issue, according to the airline. The aircraft landed safely in Jaipur and is being checked in accordance with Air India's safety standards. Flight AI1886 operating from Bhopal to Delhi on 13 September was diverted to Jaipur due to a technical issue as per laid down procedures, the airline stated. Apart from that, Air Indias pilot died due to cardiac arrest while he was on a layover rest at a hotel in the national capital, the airline said on Saturday. He was on a layover rest at a hotel in Delhi, where he was found unconscious last evening. He was rushed to the hospital immediately, where he was declared dead, the airline statement said. The Mumbai-based pilot was found unconscious at the hotel on Friday evening and was immediately taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead. He had earlier worked with Air India Express and moved to Air India a couple of months ago. He was scheduled to operate a flight early on Saturday morning. Earlier in August, an Air India Express flight operating from Kochi to Abu Dhabi had made an air turnback in line with established safety protocols after the crew detected a problem with the aircraft.

Jaipur quadruple murder: Accused detained in Sikar after leaving hotel over cash crunch

Air India Bhopal-Delhi flight diverted to Jaipur after technical issue

Flight AI1886, which was operating from Bhopal to Delhi on Sunday, was diverted to Jaipur in accordance with established safety procedures, Air India said

Rajasthan SET 2026: Students boycott exam in Jaipur over delayed papers

In Jaipur, students staged a protest and boycotted the Rajasthan SET-2026 exam due to a significant delay in the arrival of question papers, which reached the examination hall nearly thirty minutes after the scheduled start. Candidates expressed grave concerns about exam irregularities and called for a re-examination, underlining ongoing challenges faced in competitive testing in India. Official confirmation of the exam's status remains pending.

Rajasthan SET 2026: Candidates walk out from examination centre in Jaipur over alleged delay in paper distribution

Candidates at a Rajasthan SET exam centre protested a significant delay in question paper distribution. Frustrated students boycotted the examination after waiting nearly thirty minutes past the scheduled start. Authorities allegedly threatened candidates who questioned the prolonged and unacceptable delay. Some students reported an eleventh-grade student acting as an invigilator at their centre. The exam was reportedly cancelled, though no official notification has been issued yet.

Unmarried Youth Gather for Sindhara Ritual at Jaipurs Ganesh Temple, 3,500 Kilos of Henna Distributed

Unmarried youth flock to Jaipurs Motidungri Ganesh Temple for the Sindhara ritual, with 3,500 kilos of henna to be shared as prasad. Unmarried Youth Gather for Sindhara Ritual at Jaipurs Ganesh Temple, 3,500 Kilos of Henna Distributed

Air India Bhopal-Delhi Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Jaipur After Engine Issue

Air India flight AI1886, travelling from Bhopal to Delhi, was diverted to Jaipur after a left-engine technical issue, with passengers later sent to Delhi by road.

Rajasthan SET 2026 exam boycotted in Jaipur over paper delay

The News Mill

Air India Bhopal-Delhi flight diverted to Jaipur over technical issue, lands safely

Air India flight from Bhopal to Delhi diverted to Jaipur due to technical issue

Air India flight AI1886, operating from Bhopal to Delhi on Sunday (September 13), was diverted to Jaipur due to a technical issue, the airline said. The aircraft landed safely in Jaipur and is undergoing necessary...

India clinches consensus on UN reform

New Delhi, Sep 12:Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a major diplomatic triumph on Saturday as leaders of the expanded BRICS bloc unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration, enshrining support for Indias bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, pushing back against Western trade barriers, and initiating concrete moves toward financial clearing mechanisms that bypass the US dollar. The 140-point joint declaration, agreed on the opening day of the two-day summit at the Bharat Mandapam convention centre, marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the grouping. The document capped months of extensive negotiations led by New Delhi across more than 400 meetings in 30 Indian cities, framing India as the central bridge between an increasingly polarized West and a demanding Global South. Convening under the Indian presidencys theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability, the heads of state of the newly expanded bloc issued their most forceful challenge yet to the post-World War II global order. The communiqu declared that current multilateral architectures are fundamentally misaligned with contemporary multipolar realities and called for structural decentralisation across international politics and finance. In a direct endorsement of Indias core strategic goal, permanent Security Council members China and Russia explicitly reiterated their backing for the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role in the United Nations, including permanent membership on the Security Council. The declaration similarly endorsed the legitimate aspirations of African states under the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, demanding that council reform amplify developing voices. The summit took aim at executive appointments across international bodies, highlighting that in the ongoing selection of the next UN Secretary-General, no woman has ever been elected, while only two nationals from Asia, two from Africa, and one from Latin America have ever held the role. Invoking Article 101 of the UN Charter, leaders demanded an end to national monopolies over senior executive posts and deplored efforts by certain states to undermine multilateral bodies by deliberately withholding assessed budgetary dues. Addressing historical injustices, the summit welcomed UN General Assembly Resolution 80/250 declaring the trafficking and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as humanity's gravest crime, urged the complete eradication of colonialism under Resolution 79/115, and backed a proposal by South Africa and Brazil to establish an international panel on inequality under Sustainable Development Goal 10. New Delhi also steered an aggressive critique of international financial architecture. Reaffirming the BRICS Rio de Janeiro Vision and the Diriyah Guiding Principles, the leaders demanded the immediate implementation of the IMFs 16th General Review of Quotas and swift realignment under the 17th review. The declaration insisted that emerging market quota increases must match their true economic weight, without coming at the expense of poorer nations, and warned that voluntary financial contributions must never dictate quota allocation or governance representation. It also called for open, merit-based leadership selection at the IMF and World Bank to dismantle historical Western appointments. On trade, the leaders hit out at unilateral protectionism and unilateral carbon border adjustment measures (CBAM), characterizing them as discriminatory distortions violating World Trade Organisation principles. The bloc demanded the immediate restoration of the WTOs paralysed dispute-settlement Appellate Body, welcomed the accession procedures of Iran and Ethiopia, and commended Chinas zero-tariff programme for 53 African nations. Extraterritorial sanctions and secondary coercive economic measures drew unanimous condemnation, with leaders warning that such restrictions violate international law, sever critical supply chains, and infringe on fundamental human rights to development. To shield member states from unilateral financial sanctions, India helped steer tangible economic deliverables aimed at reducing reliance on Western financial plumbing. The BRICS Payment Task Force was mandated to broaden local currency settlements and test technical interoperability between member states domestic interbank messaging networks and central bank payment rails. Progress was registered on creating a BRICS Insurance Resilience Centre, alongside a review of an Indian proposal to locate an open-access BRICS Risk Lab inside the GIFT City International Financial Services Centre in Gujarat. Members also advanced structural revisions to strengthen liquidity responsiveness under the Contingent Reserve Arrangement Treaty ahead of its ninth operational test run, expanded pilot operations under the BRICS Multilateral Guarantees facility, and drafted steps for a member-driven New Investment Platform. Catering to Indias substantial small-business sector, the leaders agreed to examine an Indian-championed cross-border Invoice Discounting Mechanism under the Jaipur Consensus to provide liquidity for micro, small, and medium-sized exporters. The summit endorsed operationalising the BRICS Grain Exchange to protect against global food and fertiliser price shocks, and advanced feasibility work on an autonomous, high-speed submarine telecommunications cable network linking members directly. The New Development Bank, marking its 10th year of operations, was directed to expand local-currency loan disbursements. On foreign policy and international security, the summit expressed profound alarm over military escalation across the Middle East. The declaration condemned attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and IAEA-inspected nuclear installations, while demanding immediate compliance with UNSC Resolution 2803 following violations of the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire agreement. The leaders rejected any demographic alterations or forced displacement of Palestinians, insisted on full humanitarian access via UNRWA, and called for the admission of the State of Palestine as a full U.N. member based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The communiqu also condemned breaches of Lebanese sovereignty under UNSC Resolution 1701, demanding complete Israeli military withdrawal, and strongly condemned strikes against the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) that resulted in the deaths of four Indonesian peacekeepers. BRICS called for the total withdrawal of unauthorised foreign forces occupying Syrian territory under UNSC Resolution 2254, urged an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Sudan under the principle of African solutions to African problems, and called for the prompt termination of unilateral economic embargoes against Cuba. On security, Indian negotiators secured unified language unequivocally condemning terrorism in all forms, specifically citing the April 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The declaration demanded zero tolerance, rejected double standards, urged coordinated crackdowns on UN-designated terrorist outfits, and pressed for the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. The summit also pledged intelligence-sharing between financial intelligence units to combat cyber scam syndicates, illicit virtual asset exploitation, and international arms trafficking. The document codified wide-ranging operational initiatives across technical sectors, approving an Integrated Early Warning System for Mass Infectious Diseases, pharmaceutical regulatory integration under the BRICS GXP White Paper, and a mental health network anchored by India's National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). Marking the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarins space flight, the bloc amended its Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation framework to integrate new member space agencies, drafted Terms of Reference for a BRICS Space Council, and reiterated calls for a binding treaty prohibiting outer-space weapons. Leaders approved a joint declaration on the global governance of artificial intelligence, created the BRICS Incubator Network, and began reviews for a shared startup innovation fund. The declaration codified the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030, establishing unified norms for green hydrogen certification, smart grids, and gig-worker social protections through the newly established BRICS CONNECT initiative. Following the conclusion of the New Delhi summit, India will formally hand over the rotating BRICS chairship to China, which will host the 19th summit in 2027.

Jaipur to Rehold Polls in Ward 62 After Voting Irregularities

Jaipurs Ward 62 will conduct a re-election on September 13 due to voting irregularities during the initial polling. Jaipur to Rehold Polls in Ward 62 After Voting Irregularities

Jaipur MP Manju Sharma unveils GreenFit Marathon Season-3 poster; Over 7,000 registrations for Sept 27 race

Turnout varies in wards linked to Rajs top political bigwigs

High turnout in Congress citadels trigger for 1st unified JMC board

Voter turnout rises to 73.6% in 2026 from 71.8% in 2020

RERC orders safety audit, gets compliance report, then goes silent

Murder convict escapes from Barmer Open Jail, search on to trace him

Bank cleaner held for Sujangarh elderly womans murder and jewellery robbery

Dilawar eats at Kotas Annapurna Rasoi, finds lapses, orders probe

Dotasra accuses CM, BJP of undemocratic tactics post ULB polling; Saraf refutes charges

State orders recall of 10 substandard drugs

State orders ICU audit in govt, pvt hospital after SC directives

BJP moves Raj civic poll candidates to camps ahead of results

BJP, Congress move councillor candidates ahead of Rawatbhata poll results

Jailed ex-MLA claims phone was not recovered from him

Kardhani killings: One blow each, possible poisoning under probe

CCTV reveals 3rd suspect in CA abduction from Central Park

Rajasthan: Former MLA starts hunger strike in jail, says fake case registered against him over mobile recovery

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 12 (IANS) A fresh controversy has emerged over the alleged recovery of a mobile phone from Baljeet Yadav, former MLA from Rajasthans Behror, while he is lodged in Jaipur Central Jail. Yadav has denied having any connection with the phone and has begun an indefinite hunger strike inside the jail. According to his allegations, the FIR registered against him on September 9 after the mobile recovery is false and politically motivated. He has also questioned the circumstances under which the mobile phone was allegedly recovered. Sandeep Yadav, the outgoing Sarpanch representative of Tasing village in Behror and a spokesperson for Team Baljeet Yadav, reportedly met the former MLA in jail. According to Sandeep Yadav, Baljeet Yadav told him that he was neither personally searched nor was his barrack inspected when the mobile phone was allegedly recovered. Yadav has alleged that the case was registered under political pressure with the intention of damaging his reputation. Following the meeting, Sandeep Yadav submitted a letter to the Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP), seeking an impartial investigation and a detailed examination of CCTV footage from the day of the alleged incident. According to Baljeet Yadav's account, on September 9, the day the mobile phone was allegedly recovered, he was with prison doctor Dr Karan for a blood pressure and blood sugar check. Yadav further claimed that the phone was found abandoned in a public toilet near the alley behind Ward No. 5 of the jail and that he had no connection with it. He has alleged that the jail administration implicated him despite there being no search or seizure from his possession. These allegations have not been independently established. Acting on Yadav's instructions, Sandeep Yadav reportedly sent a letter to the Rajasthan DGP in Jaipur on Friday. The letter seeks examination of CCTV footage. CCTV recordings from across the Jaipur Central Jail complex, the route to the hospital and the area around the toilet should be secured and provided to the investigating officer, he said. The second demand is verification of Yadav's whereabouts. The footage should be examined to establish whether Baljeet Yadav was with Dr Karan at the hospital when the alleged recovery took place, it added. The third demand was that the statements should be recorded from prisoners who were present near the hospital and Kanha Garden around the relevant time. The letter also seeks an impartial investigation into FIR No. 0191/2026, which Yadav's supporters allege was registered out of political vendetta. The issue has also created a stir within the Jaipur Central Jail administration after Baljeet Yadav reportedly informed authorities that he was beginning an indefinite hunger strike. Yadav has previously used unconventional forms of protest, including running while dressed in black and undertaking fasts. According to Sandeep Yadav, the former MLA has said he will continue his fast until an impartial investigation into the case begins and action is taken against those responsible, if wrongdoing is established. The controversy comes amid heightened political activity in Rajasthan ahead of the results of the 2026 civic body elections. Yadav's supporters in Behror and Alwar have expressed anger over the case and maintain that he has been targeted for raising issues concerning the public and unemployed youth. The focus is now on the Rajasthan Police and jail authorities. Whether CCTV footage from the relevant locations will be examined, and what it may establish about the circumstances surrounding the mobile phone recovery, could be crucial to the investigation. At present, the allegations made by Baljeet Yadav and his supporters remain claims, and the matter is subject to investigation.

7 cops booked in Rajasthan's Bharatpur for assaulting minor refusing to pay Rs 10,000 per month

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 12 (IANS) A case has been registered against seven policemen in Rajasthan's Bharatpur following allegations that a 16-year-old boy was assaulted, threatened with a country-made pistol and allegedly framed in a false illegal-arms case after refusing to pay Rs 10,000 per month. The accused include five personnel associated with the District Special Team (DST), an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) posted at Mathura Gate police station, and another police officer. The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the law, including the POCSO Act, based on a complaint filed by the minor's aunt. According to the complaint, the minor was allegedly subjected to repeated demands for Rs 10,000 per month after he started a rental car business in Bharatpur. When the victim stopped making the alleged payments, the accused reportedly threatened to implicate him in a false case. The minor's aunt said in her complaint that the boy's father died shortly after his birth and that she subsequently brought him to Bharatpur, where she took responsibility for his education and upbringing. According to the complaint, the minor started a rental car business in Bharatpur in December last year. Shortly afterward, a DST Constable identified as Dashrath allegedly visited his office and demanded Rs 10,000 per month. The family alleges that, out of fear, the minor paid the amount for three consecutive months. The business was later shut down due to financial losses. However, according to the complaint, the alleged demand for money continued even after the business had closed. When the minor refused to pay, Constable Dashrath allegedly threatened to implicate him in a false criminal case. According to the complaint, the minor had travelled to Khatu Shyam Ji with friends on August 19. While returning to Bharatpur on August 21, his car reportedly developed a flat tyre at around 9 a.m. The minor allegedly stopped near a shop for tea when two DST personnel, identified in the complaint as Ankit and Manveer, arrived. They allegedly told him that Constable Dashrath had called him and took him away. The complaint alleges that Dashrath was present at the DST office, where the minor was allegedly assaulted with belts, kicks and punches. Constable Hariom is also accused of standing on the minor's legs during the alleged assault. The complaint also alleges that ASI Shivlal arrived at the DST office around 5 p.m. along with two other policemen. The minor was allegedly blindfolded and taken to an isolated location. According to the complaint, a country-made pistol, or katta, was taken from a bag and placed against the minor's leg. The policemen allegedly threatened to shoot him if he did not make a video statement according to their instructions. The complaint also alleges that the weapon was subsequently placed inside the minor's trousers before the personnel staged a search and recorded a video showing an alleged recovery of the pistol. Following the alleged recovery, an illegal-arms case was registered against the minor on August 21. After learning that the minor had been booked in the arms case, his family reportedly reached the police station and secured his bail. When the minor returned home, family members allegedly noticed severe injury marks on his body. They subsequently approached the court seeking action against the police personnel. Advocate Paramveer Sogarwal, representing the complainant side, said an application was filed before the court on August 26. The court subsequently summoned Mathura Gate police station Station House Officer (SHO) Harlal Meena and directed that an FIR be registered. Following the court's direction, an FIR was registered at Mathura Gate police station on Friday against seven policemen. Mathura Gate SHO Harlal Meena said the FIR was registered on the basis of a complaint submitted by the minor's aunt. The accused named in the case include Dashrath, Ankit, Satyveer, Hariom and Abhimanyu, along with Mathura Gate ASI Shivlal and another officer. The investigation has been entrusted to Hemendra Chaudhary, SHO of Atal Band police station. The allegations against the police personnel are subject to investigation. The exact circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, extortion demand and recovery of the country-made pistol will be established during the investigation.

Rajasthan civic polls: Re-poll ordered in Ward 62 of Jaipur as 110 deleted voters cast ballots

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 12 (IANS) The State Election Commission, Rajasthan, has directed that a re-poll be conducted at the polling station located at Government Upper Primary School (Room No. 4), Tila Wala, Sanganer, under Part No. 23 of Ward 62 of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation. According to the Commission, an incident occurred during polling on Saturday, in which 110 voters whose names appeared in the list of deleted entries cast their votes at the polling station. After examining reports submitted by the District Election Officer and the Returning Officer, the Commission concluded that the fairness of the election process had been compromised. In view of the circumstances, the Commission has ordered a fresh poll on September 13, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., under Rule 55 of the Rajasthan Municipalities (Election) Rules, 1994. The Commission has directed the concerned officials to provide written information about the date, time, and venue of the re-poll to all contesting candidates and their election agents. They have also been instructed to ensure wide publicity of the re-poll arrangements in the concerned area. Only voters who are duly authorised to vote will be permitted to cast their ballots during the re-poll. For voter identification, indelible ink will be applied to the middle finger of the left hand. The mark will be made from the base of the nail to the first joint of the finger. The Commission has further clarified that, if required, fresh ballot papers and tendered ballot papers for use in connection with the EVMs may be printed. The EVMs used during the original polling on September 11 will be sealed and kept in safe custody. Earlier, elections were conducted in a total of 309 urban local bodies across the two phases on September 9 and 11 in Rajasthan. The combined voter turnout was recorded at 72.95 per cent. The election results are scheduled to be declared after counting of votes on September 14.

AI In Education: Teachers Urged To Adapt

Padma Shri awardee educationist Dinesh Singh advocates for teachers to embrace artificial intelligence, viewing it as a tool to elevate their role rather than a threat. Speaking at the 4th STTAR Global Education Conference, Singh urged educators to use AI to become gurus. Other leaders, including Shishir Jaipuria, emphasised that the future of education lies in human-technology collaboration, with teachers remaining crucial for inspiring students.

Raj to launch Viksit BharatJan Seva Abhiyan from Sept 17