Rajasthan civil poll results: BJP wrests stronghold seats from Congress
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS) The results of the Rajasthan civic elections have highlighted varying levels of regional influence among Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress Ministers and senior leaders. The BJP retained control in several Assembly constituencies of its Ministers, securing Chairman and Vice-Chairman posts in multiple urban local bodies. In some Assembly constituencies, however, the Congress mounted a challenge and managed to secure key positions. The results have also provided a picture of the regional influence of several Congress leaders who have been active in Rajasthan politics for years. The BJP won 20 seats in the Bharatpur Municipal Corporation, which is the Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's home city, and relied on the support of Independents to strengthen its position. The BJP also succeeded in electing Mayors in all seven municipal bodies. While the Mayoral election for the Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota Municipal Corporations is scheduled for September 25. The BJP formed boards in two of the three municipalities in the Assembly constituency. However, the BJP lost the Jhalawar Municipal Council, where both the President and Vice-President posts went to the Congress. In the Dudu Assembly constituency, the BJP failed to form boards in either municipality. In the Phagi and Dudu municipalities, both the President and Vice-President posts went to Congress and Congress-supported candidates. Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, however, is also associated with the Sanganer Assembly constituency. In the Jodhpur Lok Sabha constituency, elections were held in the municipalities of Phalodi, Bap, Balesar and Pokaran. The BJP won in Phalodi, Bap and Balesar, while the Congress won in Pokaran. The Jodhpur Municipal Corporation election results are scheduled to be announced on September 25. There are two municipalities in the Srimadhopur Assembly constituency. The BJP won in Srimadhopur, while the Congress won in Ajitgarh. In the Sangod Assembly constituency, BJP candidates won both the President and Vice-President posts in the Sangod municipality. The BJP won both the President and Vice-President posts in the Sawai Madhopur Municipal Council, located in the Sawai Madhopur Assembly constituency. The BJP won both posts in Ramganj Mandi which is constituency of Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar. The BJP captured all four municipalities in the Malpura-Todaraisingh Assembly constituency: Malpura, Diggi, Lambaharisingh and Todaraisingh. The BJP led in nine of the 12 urban local bodies in the Alwar Parliamentary constituency. The BJP also performed successfully in the constituencies associated with Jawahar Singh Bedham, Minister of State for Home Affairs; Sumit Godara, Food Minister; Avinash Gehlot, Social Justice Minister; Suresh Rawat, Water Resources Minister; Jogaram Patel, Parliamentary Affairs Minister; and Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Health Minister. The BJP did not secure the top positions in the constituencies associated with Ministers of State Vijay Singh Chaudhary, Manju Baghmar and Otaram Dewasi, Cooperation Minister Gautam Kumar Dak, Revenue Minister Hemant Meena and Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg. Of the seven urban local bodies in Bikaner, which falls within Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal's Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP secured the President's post in four, while the Congress won two and the CPI-M one. However, the BJP did not secure the Mayoral post in the Bikaner Municipal Corporation, one of the most prominent urban local bodies in the region. The Congress won the Mayoral post, while the BJP secured the Deputy Mayor's position. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is the Congress MLA from Sardarpura, which falls within the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation area. Of the 100 wards, the BJP won 45 and the Congress 44. Former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot is the Congress MLA from Tonk. The Congress secured a majority in the civic body and elected its candidates as Chairman and Deputy Chairman. Elections were held in 59 of the 60 wards, with the Congress winning 32 and the BJP 19. Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra is the Congress MLA from Laxmangarh. Of the 45 wards in the Municipal Council, the Congress won 20, the BJP 15 and Independents 10. The Congress subsequently took control of the municipality. Rajasthan Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully is the Congress MLA from Alwar Rural. In Malakhera Municipality, of the 20 wards, the Congress won nine, the BJP two and independents nine.
A Bengaluru entrepreneur has announced a hiring restriction covering male candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, citing an alleged incident involving a former employee. Karthik SG said the employee had been dismissed after warnings over alleged abusive conduct towards female staff. The announcement drew mixed online responses, with users debating individual screening, workplace safety and state-based hiring decisions.
India's tribal development model highlighted at UNHRC
Digital Desk | Geneva, Sep 23 (IANS) India highlighted its approach to inclusive tribal development at the Annual Panel on Indigenous Peoples at the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday, with an Indian NGO representative pointing to efforts that link development with dignity, identity, and community participation. Addressing the Council, Arushi Lal Santania, Representative of the Rajasthan Samgrah Kalyan Sansthan (RSKS India), illustrated the transformation through the changing life of a tribal girl in a remote Indian village, saying a generation once separated from essential services was increasingly gaining access to residential education, healthcare, infrastructure and stronger participation in local development. India's experience shows that development can reach remote communities while respecting the identity, knowledge and cultural heritage that make those communities unique, Santania said. She highlighted Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyaan (PM-JANMAN) as an important example of India's focused approach, noting that the mission is designed to improve the socio-economic conditions of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) communities across 18 states and one Union Territory through interventions covering housing, drinking water, education, healthcare, road and telecom connectivity, electrification and sustainable livelihoods. Santania also highlighted India's expanding Eklavya Model Residential School network, saying official data records 518 functional schools with more than 170,000 enrolled Scheduled Tribe students, including more than 86,000 girls. She further highlighted India's framework of community-based governance through Gram Sabhas and the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, which provides an institutional foundation for participation in Scheduled Areas. Against a global backdrop of more than 476 million Indigenous people across 90 countries, she emphasised that Indigenous knowledge and cultural traditions remain invaluable assets for sustainable development and humanity's shared heritage. Concluding her address, Santania urged governments, international institutions and heritage bodies to deepen meaningful community participation in conservation, management and benefit-sharing, adding that development should expand opportunity without weakening identity. The Rs 24,104 crore Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) programme targets the PVTGs, among India's most isolated communities. Many live without pucca housing, clean drinking water, electricity, or road access. The government launched PM JANMAN in November 2023 to fill these gaps through a coordinated effort of all concerned ministries.
Ashok Gehlot questions ECs functioning amid SIR dissent row
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has questioned the functioning of the Election Commission of India after a report revealed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections to several decisions taken within the poll panel. Gehlot quoted a recent report that the two Election Commissioners recorded objections at least 14 times over the past 10 months, including concerns over voter registration, deletion of names from electoral rolls and the centralisation of access to the voter database. Reacting to the development, Gehlot said the concerns raised by the two Election Commissioners vindicated the questions that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been raising about the Election Commission. The entire country is aware of what is happening. There were concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission from the very beginning. Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly raised questions about the Election Commission, and now two of the Election Commissioners themselves have raised objections to decisions being taken within the Commission. Gehlot said the issue was not merely about an individual but about the credibility and independence of a constitutional institution. If two members of the Election Commission are putting their objections on record and saying that important decisions were taken without their knowledge or approval, then this is a matter of serious concern. The country deserves to know how such decisions are being taken. Gehlot also questioned the government's decision to change the law governing the appointment of Election Commissioners and exclude the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel. The independence of constitutional institutions is essential for democracy. When questions are being raised from within the Election Commission itself, these concerns cannot simply be ignored. There must be transparency and accountability. He further said that public confidence in the electoral process was at stake. People, especially the younger generation, need to understand what is happening. Elections are the foundation of democracy. If people's confidence in the electoral process is weakened, it affects the credibility of the entire democratic system. Gehlot maintained that the latest developments made it necessary for the functioning of the Election Commission to be examined transparently. This is a much larger question about democracy and the future of the country. The Election Commission must function independently, transparently and in accordance with the Constitution and the law. The Election Commission, however, has rejected the suggestion that its decisions were taken without the participation of the full Commission. In a response issued on Wednesday, the poll panel said differing views and observations were a normal part of institutional deliberations and asserted that decisions taken over the past year, including those relating to electoral-roll revision and SIR, were unanimous decisions of the full Commission.
Supreme Court Demands Rajasthan Government Response After Forest Guard Crushed by Dumper
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday appointed Sanjay Bhatia as its new in-charge for Rajasthan, with Rajya Sabha MP Kavita Patidar and Delhi BJP leader Kuljeet Singh Chahal named as Co-in-charges. The appointments are part of a wider organisational reshuffle covering 28 states and eight Union Territories. The new assignments were announced by BJP President Nitin Nabin and take effect immediately. Bhatia will now oversee the party's organisational affairs in Rajasthan, while Patidar and Chahal will assist him as Co-in-charges. The appointments come as the BJP prepares for the next phase of political activity in Rajasthan, including the state's Panchayati Raj elections. The BJP has also been undertaking organisational preparations at the grassroots level ahead of the upcoming polls. Bhatia, a senior BJP leader, has been given responsibility for Rajasthan as part of the latest national organisational reshuffle. His appointment places him at the centre of the BJP's organisational coordination in the state, where the party is currently in government under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Bhatia will be responsible for coordinating with the State BJP leadership and monitoring organisational activities across Rajasthan. The BJP has appointed two Co-in-charges to assist Bhatia in managing the party's organisational affairs in Rajasthan. Rajya Sabha MP Kavita Patidar has been appointed one of the two Co-in-charges. She hails from Madhya Pradesh and is a member of the BJP's national-level political organisation. Patidar will work alongside Bhatia as part of the new Rajasthan organisational team. Kuljeet Chahal, a Delhi BJP leader and member of the New Delhi Municipal Council, has been appointed the second Co-in-charge for Rajasthan. Chahal has been associated with the BJP's youth organisation and has held organisational responsibilities in Delhi. The Rajasthan appointments are part of a larger BJP organisational exercise covering 36 states and Union Territories. The BJP has appointed new in-charges and Co-in-charges in several states. Among the other major changes, Baijayant Jay Panda has been appointed Maharashtra In-charge, Vinod Tawde has been given charge of Uttar Pradesh, Smriti Irani has been assigned Chhattisgarh and Haryana, and Ram Madhav has been given responsibility for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. For Rajasthan, the new organisational team is In-charge: Sanjay Bhatia, co-in-charge: Kavita Patidar and co-in-charge: Kuljeet Chahal. The new appointments assume significance as the BJP continues to strengthen its organisational machinery in Rajasthan ahead of the next round of elections and grassroots-level political activity.
Beyond the Palace: Rajasthan bets 3,000 crore on mass-premium tourism
Rajasthans next tourism boom may not come from its iconic palace hotels, but from a growing layer of heritage properties, restored havelis and experience-led destinations
UP got highest share in total visitor-trips followed by Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, finds Tourism Survey
The survey was conducted during July 2025 and June 2026 among over 2.46 lakh households all over the country except villages in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Call for Martyr Status for Ranger Killed in Illegal Mining Operation in Rajasthan
A ranger killed during an anti-mining operation in Rajasthan is being posthumously honored as calls for martyr status grow. Call for Martyr Status for Ranger Killed in Illegal Mining Operation in Rajasthan
Rajasthan Weather Update: Monsoon Retreat Continues as Dry Conditions Dominate, Check Rain Outlook
Rajasthan is moving toward the closing phase of the southwest monsoon, with dry weather becoming increasingly dominant across the state. As the monsoon retreats from northwestern India, sunshine and higher daytime temperatures are again becoming noticeable, particularly across western Rajasthan.Acco...
Calls grow for martyr status to ranger killed during anti-mining operation in Rajasthan
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS) Forest Department Ranger Pratap Singh Chundawat, who was killed while leading an operation against illegal mining in Rajasthan's Pratapgarh district, is being widely hailed for his service, with public representatives, forest officials and social organisations demanding that he be accorded martyr status. The demand has gathered momentum in the wake of the ranger's death during a late-night enforcement operation in Chhoti Sadri, where he and his team had acted on information regarding illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of soil in a forest area. ADM Vijayesh Pandya said the request for martyr status was being forwarded to the government, while DFO Suresh Agarwal said the Forest Department would also submit a formal proposal. For Pratap Singh's family, however, the loss is far more personal. The 40-year-old ranger was the sole breadwinner of his household. His death has left his wife, Asha Kunwar, 13-year-old daughter Gunjan, and 8-year-old son Aniruddh without their primary support. The family had already suffered the recent death of Pratap Singh's father. His own death has now deepened the family's grief and uncertainty. Pratap Singh had been posted in Chhoti Sadri around two years ago. During this period, he became actively involved in forest protection, wildlife monitoring, and rescue operations. He participated in rescue efforts involving tigers, leopards, pythons and crocodiles. Colleagues and people familiar with his work also knew him as a skilled marksman and an accomplished swimmer. His work had reportedly earned wider recognition, with his name proposed for a state-level award in recognition of his service. His death came while he was performing one of the most challenging aspects of his official duty, acting against illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of soil in a forest area. Around 11.30 p.m. on Monday, Pratap Singh and his team reached the forest area of Chak Sukhad, near Ghati-wale Balaji in Chhoti Sadri, after receiving information about illegal mining and soil transportation. The team found a JCB, a tractor, and a soil-loaded dumper at the site. During the operation, the dumper was seized. Forest staff member Suresh Meghwal was inside the dumper, while Pratap Singh began returning towards the range office on his Bullet motorcycle. According to the police account, the dumper driver suddenly accelerated the vehicle. The ranger and his motorcycle were allegedly dragged for around 50 metres. Pratap Singh sustained critical injuries and was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. What began as a routine enforcement operation against illegal mining had turned into a fatal incident, cutting short the life of a forest official who had spent years working in the field. Following the incident, police intensified the investigation and launched a search for the dumper driver. Pratapgarh SP Vishal Jangid said several people had been detained for questioning and that all aspects of the case were being investigated. Three police teams have been deployed to locate the accused driver, and raids are being conducted at different locations, he said. Police have also seized the JCB and tractor found at the site. Investigators are examining the role of the dumper and people allegedly associated with the illegal soil transportation. According to reports, the dumper driver took the vehicle towards the vicinity of his village, unloaded the soil, and then fled. Three people, including JCB owner Harish Thakur, have reportedly been detained for questioning. The person who allegedly commissioned the soil removal is also being questioned. A forensic team has collected evidence from the scene, while the ranger's body was handed over to his family following the post-mortem examination. Pratap Singh hailed from Amrana village in the Medi area of Chittorgarh district. For his wife and two young children, his death means losing not only a husband and father but also the family's principal financial support. His 13-year-old daughter Gunjan and 8-year-old son Aniruddh are now facing a future without the person who was supporting the household. The circumstances are particularly painful for the family as Pratap Singh had himself recently lost his father. His last rites were performed with state honours, amid grief among family members, villagers and colleagues. The demand to accord Pratap Singh martyr status has emerged as one of the central responses to his death. Supporters of the demand point to the circumstances in which he died -- while carrying out an official operation against illegal mining -- and his record of service in forest and wildlife protection. MP CP Joshi has demanded martyr status along with strict action against those responsible. ADM Vijayesh Pandya said the request would be forwarded to the government. DFO Suresh Agarwal has also said the Forest Department will formally submit a proposal to the government. The final decision on the demand rests with the government. The incident has put a focus on forest protection challenges. Pratapgarh has a forest area of approximately 1,319 square km, making enforcement and protection a significant responsibility for the Forest Department. The incident has also brought renewed attention to vacancies, manpower and resource constraints faced by forest officials working across large and difficult terrain. For forest personnel, operations against illegal mining and other unauthorised activities can involve working at night and in remote areas, often in challenging conditions. Pratap Singh's death has therefore become more than a case being investigated by police. It has also prompted questions about the risks faced by field-level forest officials and the support available to them while carrying out enforcement duties. As the police continue searching for the accused dumper driver and the government considers the demand for martyr status, Pratap Singh's family is left to cope with an irreversible loss. For his wife and two children, the ranger who spent his career protecting forests and rescuing wildlife was, above all, the person holding their family together.
Watch: Apache firepower joins US war machines during India-US drill Yudh Abhyas
Apache attack helicopters of the Indian Army are currently participating in Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 with US forces. This joint exercise is taking place at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan and Auli in Uttarakhand. Around 600 personnel from both nations are involved in various operations, including mountain warfare and live-fire activities. The Apache helicopters are demonstrating capabilities in target acquisition and precision engagement during these drills.
RPSC Assistant Professor Result 2026 Out - Check History
RPSC Assistant Professor Result 2026 notices released on 23 September 2026 for History and Geography. Check History cutoff marks and interview-qualified list, and download the Geography disqualified candidates list at rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in.
Rajasthan NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 3 registration has started on 23 September 2026 at ug.neetrajasthan.com. Check important dates, application fee, security deposit, choice filling, seat allotment schedule, and the direct registration link here.
URATPG Merit List 2026 - Direct Link to Check Status Online at uniofraj.org/pg
Rajasthan University will release the URATPG 2026 first merit list on September 23, 2026. Check your name, download the PDF, view required documents, and know the fee payment deadline (Sept 24-26).
Rajasthan Excise Drive: Liquor Worth Over
Udaipur, September 23, 2026: The Rajasthan Excise Department has seized Indian-made foreign liquor worth more than 1.11 crore and arrested 271 people as part of a special preventive campaign against illegal liquor activities across the state. The campaign is being conducted under the direction of Excise Commissioner Namit Mehta to prevent the illegal manufacturing, storage, ... Read more Rajasthan Excise Drive: Liquor Worth Over 1.11 Crore Seized, 271 Arrested
Mewar Bachao Manch Joins Rajasthan Police Cyber Crime Awareness Campaign
Udaipur: Mewar Bachao Manch has joined the Rajasthan Polices statewide cyber crime awareness campaign being conducted across the state in September to educate people about rising cases of cyber fraud and ways to stay safe. The Rajasthan Police is conducting the month-long awareness drive to inform people about different forms of cyber crime and preventive ... Read more Mewar Bachao Manch Joins Rajasthan Police Cyber Crime Awareness Campaign
The BJP has strategically appointed Sanjay Bhatia as the in-charge for Rajasthan, supported by co-in-charges Kavita Patidar and Kuljeet Chahal. For Maharashtra, Baijayant Jay Panda leads the charge alongside a team of co-in-charges. Sunil Bansal will manage Telangana and West Bengal, with carefully appointed co-in-charges. Vinod Tawde has been assigned the Uttar Pradesh in-charge role, and Smriti Irani is set to oversee the strategies in Chhattisgarh and Haryana.
Rajasthan University LL.B Result 2026 Out - Check Revaluation Result Online at result.uniraj.ac.in
Rajasthan University has released the revaluation result 2026 for LL.B. I Year, II Year (Academic), and III Year (Professional) Old Scheme examinations on 23-09-2026. Check your updated LL.B. reval result online at result.uniraj.ac.in.
Widow gets job after husband's death; Rajasthan HC orders 25% salary to mother-in-law
A widow employed through a compassionate appointment must allocate part of her salary to her mother-in-law. The Rajasthan high court acknowledged that the widow halted financial support after remarrying. She initially committed to providing for her family when applying for the position. The court's decision mandates that 25 percent of her salary be deducted for the elderly mother.
Chhattisgarh Police Arrest Drug Smuggler with 10 Kilograms of Cannabis
A drug smuggler was apprehended in Chhattisgarh with over 10 kg of cannabis, valued at 518,000, while traveling from Odisha to Rajasthan. Chhattisgarh Police Arrest Drug Smuggler with 10 Kilograms of Cannabis
Eight luxury cars burnt as fire breaks out at Mercedes workshop in Jaipur
Jaipur A massive fire broke out at a Mercedes workshop in Balaji Market in Rajasthans Jaipur, destroying around eight cars The post Eight luxury cars burnt as fire breaks out at Mercedes workshop in Jaipur appeared first on Bilkul Online .
Rajasthan Civic Polls: BJP Wins Bikaner, Ajmer Deputy Mayor Posts
BJP candidate Pankaj Gehlot won in Bikaner despite the Congress having a clear majority
BJPmaintains dominance in Rajasthan urban bodies by winning 6 deputy mayor seats
BJP Attributes Success in Rajasthan Urban Local Body Elections to Bhajanlal Model
The BJP credits its strong performance in Rajasthans local elections to the Bhajanlal Model and innovative campaign strategies. BJP Attributes Success in Rajasthan Urban Local Body Elections to Bhajanlal Model
Rajasthan High Court Grants Bail to Naresh Meena in Assault Case Involving SDM
Naresh Meena received bail from the Rajasthan High Court in a case involving the alleged assault of an SDM during a by-election. Rajasthan High Court Grants Bail to Naresh Meena in Assault Case Involving SDM
'Everything Is Fine In Our Schools': CJP Team Stopped In Greater Noida, Locals Question School Visit
The Cockroach Janta Partys School Thik Karo campaign faced another confrontation in Greater Noida after locals stopped co-convenor Saurav Das and his team from entering a government school. Das alleged that schools were locked ahead of their arrival and claimed the team was being followed by a car without a registration plate. The episode follows an earlier dispute over school access in Gautam Buddha Nagar, where education officials rejected claims of ordered closures. The campaign has also led to confrontations in Rajasthan and political demands in Odisha.
BJP Secures Six Deputy Mayor Positions in Rajasthan, Congress Fails to Win Any
In Rajasthans recent municipal elections, the BJP won six deputy mayor positions, while Congress was left empty-handed. BJP Secures Six Deputy Mayor Positions in Rajasthan, Congress Fails to Win Any
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma directs action on public welfare under Viksit Bharat Jan Seva Abhiyan
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OPINION | Rajasthan's local body elections: What's the secret of BJP victory?
BJP has scored a windfall of gains in the elections to posts of mayors and chairpersons of municipal corporations and municipalities. Throwing mathematical calculations to the wind, councillors indulged in massive cross-voting. Independents changed floors.
Rare female caracal radio-collared released into wild in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer
Councillors, Court, 10 pm Vote: How Congress Won Rajasthan's Tijara Thriller
In the 35-member council, 31 were independents. Congress had just one councillor, while the BJP had three. That left the independents holding the key to the outcome.
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Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy bags orders worth Rs 985 crore in India, South Africa
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy has secured new orders valued over Rs 985 crore. These significant orders were obtained from both domestic and international markets. The company will execute a Balance of System package in Rajasthan. Additionally, two projects in South Africa involve Battery Energy Storage Systems. This expansion highlights the company's growing presence in renewable energy solutions.
Digital libraries helping students prepare for boards, competitive exams
Several districts across Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are leading the way in refurbishing unused assets into digital libraries to help students prepare for board exams and competitive entrances. Plan is to set up more such libraries to improve educational outcomes in these districts under the Aspirational District Programme and the Aspirational Block Programme while also initiating crowd funding for some of the best libraries, adoption of libraries and mentoring students to scale up the project and expand outreach.
Jaipur Weather Today: Rain or Strong Sunshine? Check Rajasthan Forecast for September 22
The monsoon's influence is gradually weakening across Rajasthan, and the weather on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 is expected to remain relatively calm across much of the state. Residents of Jaipur hoping for another spell of heavy rain are unlikely to see widespread rainfall today, while warmer dayti...
Rajasthan Local Body Elections: Deputy Mayor and Chairperson Positions Up for Grabs
Rajasthan focuses on local leadership elections with Deputy Mayor, Deputy Chairperson, and Vice-Chairperson positions contested across 309 urban bodies. Rajasthan Local Body Elections: Deputy Mayor and Chairperson Positions Up for Grabs
The Rajasthan High Court intervened to extend voting hours in Tijara, leading to a Congress candidates victory in the municipal elections. Rajasthan Municipal Elections: Voting Extended After High Court Intervention, Congress Candidate Wins
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 22 (IANS) After the completion of elections for Mayors, Chairpersons and Municipal Presidents, attention has now shifted to the second-tier leadership posts in Rajasthan's Urban Local Bodies. Elections for Deputy Mayors, Deputy Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons are being held on Tuesday across 309 urban bodies, including 10 Municipal Corporations. Of the state's 309 urban bodies, 10 are Municipal Corporations, 51 are Municipal Councils and 248 are Municipalities. Deputy Mayors will be elected in the Municipal Corporations, Deputy Chairpersons in the Municipal Councils, and Vice-Chairpersons in the Municipalities. Elected councilors of the respective urban bodies will participate in the elections. Where necessary, voting will be followed by counting and declaration of results. Elections for the post of Deputy Mayor are being held today in Rajasthan's 10 Municipal Corporations. At the same time, elections are taking place for Deputy Chairpersons in 51 Municipal Councils and Vice-Chairpersons in 248 Municipalities. The local councilor arithmetic is expected to play an important role, particularly in bodies where no party has a clear majority. Independent councilors could also be significant in closely contested elections. Following the completion of polling, votes will be counted and the results declared according to the election schedule. With the results for Mayors, Chairpersons and Municipal Presidents already being declared, political activity has now shifted toward the elections for the corresponding deputy posts. The elections will complete the leadership structure of the state's Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipalities. In bodies where the councilor numbers are closely divided, parties and local leaders have been focussing on securing the required support. The election for Deputy Mayor of the Alwar Municipal Corporation is scheduled for today. The BJP and Congress finalised their respective strategies late on Monday night. Following the mayoral election, councilors from both parties had stayed at their respective camps. They are expected to arrive at the Municipal Corporation today to participate in the Deputy Mayor election. The BJP won the Mayor's post but is also working to secure the Deputy Mayor position. Political activity has increased at the Municipal Corporation ahead of the election. The Deputy Mayor election process in the Udaipur Municipal Corporation begins on Tuesday. BJP leaders continued discussions over the party's candidate late on Monday night. Dinesh Bhatt's name has reportedly been under consideration, although an official announcement had not been made as of the latest update. The nomination process is scheduled to begin at 10 AM, followed by the remaining stages of the election process. Political activity has intensified at the Municipal Corporation ahead of the vote. Elections for Deputy Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson posts are being held today in five Urban Local Bodies in Karauli district. The Deputy Chairperson election will be held in the Karauli Municipal Council, while Vice-Chairperson elections are scheduled in the municipalities of Todabhim, Sapotra, Mandrayal and Suroth. The nomination process will be completed first, with voting taking place if required. Elected councilors will cast their votes to choose the Deputy Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson. After the completion of the Chairperson and Municipal President elections, political activity has now shifted to the elections for these deputy posts.
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy shares surged nearly 8% on Tuesday to Rs 186.66 after winning domestic and international orders exceeding Rs 985 crore. The orders include a 534.3 MWp solar project in Rajasthan and a 616 MWh energy storage capacity project in South Africa.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 22 (IANS) The political tussle over the Tijara Municipal Council Chairperson election, which began on Monday morning, continued late into the night. Following intervention by the Rajasthan High Court, the voting deadline was extended, first to 8 p.m. and later to 10 p.m., amid delays in councilors reaching the polling station. The election result was declared after 10 p.m. with Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini winning the Chairperson's post with 18 votes. Returning Officer and SDM Divya handed him the certificate of election. The Tijara Municipal Council has 35 councilors, and 18 votes were required to secure the Chairperson's post. The dispute reached the Rajasthan High Court following allegations that Congress-backed councilors were stopped in Haryana while returning from a camp in Himachal Pradesh. Congress leaders alleged that the councilors were intercepted near Panchkula while entering Haryana and were unable to reach Tijara in time for the scheduled voting. The matter was heard by a single Bench of the Rajasthan High Court presided over by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand. The court directed the ADM of Bhiwadi to submit a report on the incident to the State Election Commission. Following the developments, the voting deadline was extended to allow the election process to continue. Voting, initially scheduled until 8 p.m., was subsequently extended until 10 p.m. because of delays in the arrival of the councilors. The State Election Commission's instructions stated that if all councilors completed voting before 10 p.m., counting would begin immediately after polling concluded. Earlier, at around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, former MLA Sandeep Yadav, District Congress President Balram Yadav, and Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini, accompanied by party workers, reached the Returning Officer's residence. They demanded that the election be postponed until the detained councilors were brought safely to Tijara. A complaint was subsequently lodged with Tijara police station SHO Jaiprakash. Congress leaders claimed that some councilors had expressed concerns through video messages, saying they had been taken to an undisclosed location and feared for their safety. Congress workers later staged a protest near the police station. Congress leaders also alleged that former MLA Sandeep Yadav was detained for several hours at Farrukhnagar near Gurugram. The police version of events regarding the allegation had not been released at the time of the filing of the report. The Congress questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged detention of the councilors, while the developments surrounding the election were taken up before the Rajasthan High Court and the State Election Commission. On Monday morning, former MLA Sandeep Yadav, District Congress President Balram Yadav, Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini, Block President Dharmpal Gurjar, and Deputy Pradhan Dayaram Chavda, along with women and other party workers, gathered near the police station. The protesters raised slogans demanding that the councilors be brought safely to Tijara and allowed to participate in the election. By 2 p.m., reports indicated that 16 of the 35 councilors had cast their votes. Meanwhile, the matter was taken up by the Rajasthan High Court. In compliance with the State Election Commission's order, voting for the Tijara Municipal Council Chairperson election was allowed to continue until 10 p.m.. The order stated that if all councilors completed voting before the deadline, counting would begin immediately after polling ended. The election result was subsequently declared after 10 p.m., with Ramavatar Saini securing the Chairperson post with 18 votes.
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy surges after bagging orders worth Rs 985 crore
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy jumped 5.60% to Rs 183.05 after the company announced that it has secured one order in Rajasthan totaling to 534.3 MWp from a leading IPP in India.
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy secures orders worth 985 crore
The orders include a 534.3 MWp project in Rajasthan and a 616 MWh turnkey BESS EPC project in South Africa, the company said
BJP wins six of seven mayoral polls in Rajasthan; Congress cries foul
The BJP defeated the Congress in Alwar, Udaipur, Pali and Ajmer, while its candidates were elected unopposed in Bharatpur and Bhilwara; the only consolation for Congress came in Bikaner
Party-backed councillors detained in Haryana ahead of Rajasthan local body poll, alleges Congress
The councillors were returning from Himachal Pradesh, where the party had moved them in a bid to prevent defections ahead of the election
ED probes Belgian funds for Jaisalmer conversions
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, investigating the alleged misuse of Rs 5.10 crore in foreign donations from a non-FCRA registered Belgian entity for proselytisation activities. Two local residents are accused of receiving funds without proper registration, disguising them as educational or cultural services, and using them to influence vulnerable communities.
India's KAL Drone Flies: 1,000 Km Strike Range, Shahed-Style Loitering Weapon Built In Noida
India has tested a new long-range loitering munition. Noida-based IG Defence successfully flew its KAL drone from the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, validating its airframe, propulsion, avionics, navigation and mission systems. Designed for strikes up to 1,000 kilometres away, KAL can stay airborne for up to eight hours, carry a 50-kg explosive payload, and operate autonomously using satellite and inertial navigation. With conflicts from Ukraine to the Red Sea proving the battlefield value of cheap, mass-produced drones, could KAL become India's answer to the Shahed-136? Shreya Chandra has everything you need to know.Watch: https://youtu.be/gLACAPVj0VA
Rajasthan girls team wins silver medal in First Veteran National Shootingball Championship
Ashok Gehlot Voices Concerns Over Rajasthan Municipal Elections
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot raises alarms about the fairness of municipal elections amid allegations against the ruling BJP. Ashok Gehlot Voices Concerns Over Rajasthan Municipal Elections
Ashok Gehlot voices concern over conduct of civic polls in Rajasthan
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sept 21 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has expressed concern over the conduct of the recently concluded Urban Local Body elections, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government relied heavily on administrative and police machinery to secure control of municipal boards. In a statement, Gehlot said the ruling party had gone beyond accepted democratic practices in its efforts to form boards. He described the developments as troubling, noting that they raised questions about fairness in the electoral process. Gehlot alleged that individual councillors were offered inducements, while Congress councillors faced notices, police summons and other forms of pressure. He also claimed that police personnel from neighbouring states were present during the election period and pointed out that the Rajasthan High Court had to hold late-night hearings on petitions related to the polls. The former Chief Minister cautioned that such practices could set a precedent ahead of the Panchayat elections. He said bureaucrats and police officers, who are generally expected to remain neutral, appeared to have acted in ways that favoured the ruling party. He added that accountability would eventually be sought for actions that undermined democratic norms. Gehlot further remarked that the use of money and official machinery risked eroding public trust in institutions. He urged Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to ensure that future elections are conducted in a manner that strengthens confidence in democratic processes. The comments come as the Congress prepares for the Panchayat elections, with the civic poll results already sparking political debate in the state. Gehlots statement indicates that the party intends to highlight concerns about the use of state machinery in the run-up to the next round of elections.
Gehlot, Dotasra allege BJP used police, money power to steal ULB mandate in Rajasthan
Rajasthan BJP wins 197 urban local body seats as CM highlights 84% grievance resolution rate
The News Mill
BJP leads Rajasthan urban local elections with 197 seats, Congress 94
The News Mill
Gujarat: Liquor worth Rs 86.63 lakh seized in Rajkot, eight booked
Digital Desk | Rajkot, Sep 21 (IANS) Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer worth Rs 86.63 lakh during a raid near the Ahmedabad-Rajkot Highway in Rajkot city on Monday, with the total value of the seized liquor, vehicle and other material put at Rs 1.10 crore, officials said. The team, led by Police Inspector P.B. Jebaliya, conducted the raid near Radhe-Krishna Hotel, close to Bamanbhor village, within the jurisdiction of Airport Police Station. According to the State Monitoring Cell, the team seized around 604 boxes of IMFL and beer containing 21,792 bottles. The liquor was valued at Rs 86,63,712. Police also seized one vehicle and other material, bringing the total value of the property recovered to Rs 1,10,91,012. The action followed directions issued by Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik to take legal action against illegal liquor and gambling activities in the state. Police registered a case at Airport Police Station under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act and Sections 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Eight people have been named as accused in the case; one has been arrested, while seven are wanted. The arrested accused has been identified as Dilipsinh Rawat, a resident of Sobiyana village in Beawar, Rajasthan. The seven wanted accused include Jitendrasinh Singh, a resident of Thikarwas, Kalan, in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district; Suresh, a truck owner; and an unidentified associate of Jitendrasinh in Chandigarh. Police have also named an unidentified person who allegedly took a four-wheeler to load the liquor, another unidentified person who arrived on a motorcycle carrying a transport slip, and an unidentified person who allegedly ordered the liquor consignment in Rajkot. Further investigation into the seizure and the persons named as wanted accused is underway, the State Monitoring Cell said.
Rajasthan Mayor Election: BJP ? !
Syed Suhail | Rajasthan Mayor Election: BJP ? !
Rajasthan civic polls: BJP converts narrow vote edge into board control
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) The Rajasthan urban local body elections have produced a political paradox: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress remained separated by less than one percentage point in overall vote share, yet the BJP emerged with a substantially larger number of elected councillors and subsequently converted that advantage into control of several urban bodies. The numbers raise a bigger question: was the difference created at the ballot box or after? The answer appears to lie in a mix of electoral arithmetic, organisational mobilisation, the fragmented independent vote, and parties' ability to negotiate support during the crucial process of forming municipal boards. The Congress, meanwhile, faces questions over internal coordination and its ability to retain the support of its own councillors. The BJP and Congress were separated by only around 0.94 percentage points in vote share. The BJP polled about 35.18 per cent of the vote, compared with 34.24 per cent for the Congress. Yet the BJP won 4,179 wards, compared with 3,613 for the Congress, while independents won 2,273 wards. That gap shows how vote distribution across individual wards can produce a very different result from the statewide vote-share comparison. Ward delimitation in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota showed that Congress received a slightly higher combined vote count than the BJP in those three corporations but won fewer wards. Analysts attributed this partly to the concentration of Congress votes in fewer wards, while BJP votes were more evenly distributed. Congress leaders, however, alleged that the delimitation process disadvantaged the party. The real political battle began after the ward results. The BJPs advantage became more significant in municipal board formation. In several urban bodies, neither major party secured an outright majority, leaving independent councillors in a pivotal position. The BJP was the largest party in several such bodies, while Congress led in places including Ajmer and Pali but remained short of a majority. This is where post-election political management became central. The contest was no longer simply about how many councillors each party had won. Parties had to secure the support of independents and maintain cohesion among their own councillors before the mayoral and chairperson elections. The outcome in Pali provides perhaps the clearest illustration. In Pali, Congress had 29 councillors, but BJP got the mayor. Pali Municipal Corporation has 65 councillors. Congress emerged as the largest group with 29 seats, followed by the BJP with 21 and independents with 15. The majority mark was 33. Yet in Monday's mayoral election, BJPs Namita Bubakia won with 33 votes. Congresss official candidate Sumitra Jain received only three votes, while Congress rebel Rajbala Hingad, contesting as an independent, received 29 votes. All 65 councillors voted. The result dramatically changed the political picture created by the ward election. The BJP entered the mayoral contest with 21 councillors and needed 12 additional votes to reach a majority. The final tally indicates that the party succeeded in attracting sufficient support from outside its elected bloc. Because the mayoral ballot was secret, however, the result alone cannot establish the individual identity of every councillor who supported each candidate. The Pali result therefore raises a pointed political question for Congress: how did a party with 29 elected councillors end up with its official mayoral candidate receiving just three votes? Across the 309 urban local bodies, independents won 2,273 wards, making them a significant force in board formation. In Bharatpur, independents won 36 of 65 wards and crossed the majority mark on their own. In cities such as Pali, Ajmer, Alwar and Jodhpur, their numbers were crucial to determining who would control the civic administration. This changed the traditional BJP-versus-Congress equation. Where neither party had the numbers, the ability to communicate with, negotiate with and retain the support of independent councillors became decisive. Congress raised allegations that the BJP used government power and resources to influence board formation in some places. Those allegations are political claims and should be distinguished from the confirmed election results. At the same time, Congress leaders pointed to other explanations, including delimitation. Rajasthan PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra argued that the delimitation process contributed to the partys losses, despite the narrow vote-share difference. The available numbers also support another explanation: the BJP was more successful in converting its councillor strength and outside support into control of municipal leadership posts in several closely contested bodies. The sequence of events shows that the political environment surrounding board formation mattered greatly, particularly where independents held the balance. The civic election results expose a distinction between electoral support and organisational conversion. Congress secured 34.24 per cent of the overall vote, almost matching the BJPs 35.18 per cent. Yet the BJP won substantially more wards and subsequently secured key mayoral and chairperson posts in several places. For Congress, therefore, the issue is not simply whether it retains its voter base. It is also whether it can maintain unity among elected councillors, manage competing local factions, prevent internal rebellions, build relationships with independents, and convert ward-level victories into control of municipal boards. Pali demonstrates the scale of that challenge in particularly stark terms. The BJPs success in securing municipal leadership positions gives the party an organisational advantage at the local-government level. But winning the mayoral post is only the beginning of the political test. BJP leader Madan Rathore said, Regarding organisational strength, consider that Dotasras candidate received zero votes in Sadri (Pali), while the official Congress candidate in Pali secured only three votes; how, then, can I possibly match him? We believe in the organisation. The new municipal boards will now be judged on issues that directly affect everyday life: roads, drainage, sanitation, street lighting, water supply, waste management and other civic services. The political story of Rajasthans 2026 urban elections, therefore, is not simply BJP versus Congress. It is a story of three layers of electoral politics, moving from vote share to ward strength to board formation. The first two stages produced a closely contested picture. The third stage demonstrated the importance of alliances, independent councillors, internal cohesion and post-election political management. And that is perhaps the most important lesson from Pali: winning the most wards and controlling the board are not necessarily the same thing.
Rajasthan womans kidnap bid was part of plot to remarry her in Hyderabad: Police
The woman, identified as Pooja, a native of Rajasthan, had fallen in love with Omprakash, who belonged to a different sub-caste. Her family had opposed their relationship and refused to accept their marriage.
Rajasthan womans kidnap bid was part of plot to remarry her in Hyderabad: Police
The woman, identified as Pooja, a native of Rajasthan, had fallen in love with Omprakash, who belonged to a different sub-caste. Her family had opposed their relationship and refused to accept their marriage.
BJP Dominates Rajasthan Municipal Elections, Congress Retains Bikaner
In Rajasthans municipal elections, BJP wins six out of seven mayoral seats, with Congress holding onto Bikaner. BJP Dominates Rajasthan Municipal Elections, Congress Retains Bikaner
Local poll results show peoples confidence in BJP: Madan Rathore
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) BJP Rajasthan president Madan Rathore on Monday said the local body election results reflected people's support and confidence in the BJP, crediting the partys performance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda and the work of the Bhajanlal Sharma government in Rajasthan. Addressing a press conference after the results, Rathore thanked voters across the state and said the BJP had received widespread support in municipal corporations, municipal councils and municipalities. He said the mandate demonstrated public confidence in the partys leadership and its development-oriented approach. Rathore also said the state governments One State, One Election initiative had reduced election-related expenditure and would provide the government with more time to focus on development and public welfare. He noted that of the 10 municipal corporations in Rajasthan, results for seven were declared on Monday, with the BJP securing a majority in six. According to Rathore, BJP mayors were elected in Alwar, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Pali, Udaipur and Bharatpur. He said the people had endorsed the partys Sankalp Patra (manifesto) and that newly elected BJP representatives would work to fulfil its promises. Rathore added that BJP workers would approach voters with the same commitment during the upcoming Panchayat elections. He attributed the BJPs electoral performance to public faith in Prime Minister Modis development agenda and the work undertaken by the Bhajanlal Sharma government in Rajasthan. Rathore highlighted central government initiatives related to housing, sanitation, and infrastructure, including railway modernisation, doubling and electrification, road development, irrigation projects, and the construction and strengthening of dams. He also cited measures to support farmers, including increases in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. Rathore said the Make in India initiative had promoted industrial development and investment, while efforts to attract investors aimed to create employment opportunities. In Rajasthan, he highlighted the state governments work on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), the Yamuna Water Agreement, water supply arrangements from Punjab and efforts to ensure the availability of Narmada water. He said the state government was providing additional financial assistance to farmers and focusing on expanding crop insurance benefits. Rathore also pointed to the Rising Rajasthan initiative, saying it had helped promote investment and industries in the state and contributed to employment generation. He said the government was undertaking recruitment drives to provide employment opportunities to young people. He further said the government had taken strict action against criminals and was working to strengthen healthcare, roads, electricity and other basic amenities. Responding to a question about Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra, Rathore launched a personal political attack on his Congress counterpart. Dotasra is a big man; I cannot match him. He can secure benefits for his family, get jobs for family members and avail benefits despite falling under the OBC creamy layer category; I cannot compete with that, Rathore said. He also referred to the Congresss performance in the civic elections, saying the partys candidate in Sadri in Pali received zero votes. In contrast, the official Congress candidate in Pali received only three votes. How can I compare myself to him? We believe in the organisation, he said.
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], September 21: Lehar Footwears Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of renowned Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao as the Brand Ambassador for its in-house athleisure brand Rannr,
BJP wins 197 Rajasthan civic body posts, Congress bags 94; AAP springs surprise
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) Results for 301 civic bodies in Rajasthan have been declared so far, with the BJP emerging as the dominant force in the mayoral and chairperson elections. BJP candidates have secured 197 posts, while Congress has won 94. Independents have bagged seven posts, while AAP, CPM and RLP have won one post each. The BJP has also secured mayoral posts in six of Rajasthan's seven municipal corporations whose results have been declared. Congress managed to retain the mayor's post in Bikaner. The results have produced several reversals for Congress, including in Ajmer and Pali, where the party initially appeared to have an advantage based on its councillor numbers. In Ajmer, BJP's Anamika Sharma was elected mayor after securing 43 votes, despite the BJP having won 32 councillor seats in the corporation. In Pali, BJP candidate Namita Bubakia won the mayoral election with 33 votes. The BJP secured 21 councillor seats, while Congress won 29. However, Congress candidate Sumitra Jain received only three votes. The BJP also secured the mayoral posts in Udaipur and Alwar. Paras Singhvi won in Udaipur, while Sumanlata Agarwal emerged victorious in Alwar. Agarwal secured 42 votes against Congress candidate Kamlesh Sharma, who received 23 votes. In Bikaner, Congress candidate Anil Kalla was elected mayor. Kalla is the nephew of former minister BD Kalla. Another notable result came from Atru municipality in Baran, where Congress candidate Nisha Nainwal defeated Krishna Murari Dilawar, brother of Education Minister Madan Dilawar, by three votes in the chairperson election. The results also saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) make a surprise entry by winning a civic body chairperson post. CPM and RLP also secured one post each, while independents won seven posts. It may be noted that elections had already been decided unopposed in 32 civic bodies, including the Bhilwara and Bharatpur municipal corporations. The electoral process is not yet complete. Elections for mayoral posts in three municipal corporations, including Jaipur, and one municipality are scheduled for September 25. With the remaining mayoral contests still to be decided, the final political picture of Rajasthan's urban local bodies will emerge only after the September 25 elections.
Rajasthan: BJP secures 197 civic body heads, twice as many as Congress; election for the rest on
According to results available so far, Independents have won seven posts, while Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), CPI(M) and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) have secured one each. Elections for the posts were held in 273 urban local bodies on Monday after heads of 32 of the 305 bodies covered under the current schedule were elected unopposed.
Rajasthan: Hanuman Beniwal's RLP retains Mundwa Board
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) candidate Alka Kandoi was elected chairperson of the Mundwa Municipal Council in Nagaur district of Rajasthan, securing the post for a second consecutive term. Kandoi polled 13 votes, defeating independent candidate Ghanshyam Sadawat, who secured 12 votes. Sadawat had rebelled against the BJP after being denied the party's ticket and contested the chairperson election as an independent. The most notable feature of the result was the performance of the BJP's official candidate, Geeta, who received no votes. The BJP had emerged as the largest party in the Mundwa municipal council elections, winning 10 councillor seats. Four independent councillors supported by the BJP also won, giving the BJP-backed camp the support of 14 councillors in the 20-member house. A total of 11 votes were required to secure the chairperson's post. The RLP had won seven councillor seats, while Congress had three. The RLP-Congress camp also received the support of a BJP rebel councillor, taking its strength to 11enough to secure the required majority. However, the final voting pattern saw Kandoi receive 13 votes, while Sadawat polled 12. The BJP's official candidate Geeta did not receive a single vote. During the selection of its chairperson candidate, the BJP chose Geeta, a first-time elected councillor, over leaders including Ghanshyam Sadawat and Ramakant Sharma. After being denied the ticket, Sadawat rebelled and entered the contest as an independent. The result allowed Kandoi to retain the chairperson's post for a second consecutive term, while the zero-vote tally for the BJP's official candidate emerged as one of the most striking results of the Mundwa civic election. It may be noted that elections had already been decided unopposed in 32 civic bodies, including the Bhilwara and Bharatpur municipal corporations.
ED raids Jaisalmer premises in Rs 5.1 crore foreign funding case, probes FCRA violations
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) The Jaipur Zonal Office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted search operations at two locations in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district in connection with the alleged misuse of foreign donations worth around Rs 5.10 crore received from a Belgium-based entity without mandatory registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), officials said on Monday. The searches were carried out on September 19 under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, following intelligence inputs that a Jaisalmer resident, identified as Deu Ram, was allegedly receiving foreign funds from Belgium-based organisations and using them for activities aimed at influencing vulnerable sections of society under the guise of educational and social welfare initiatives. According to the ED, its investigation found that Deu Ram and his associate, Gyan Chand, received around Rs 5.10 crore in foreign remittances, largely by declaring the funds as payments for educational services, cultural and recreational activities, and family maintenance or savings from non-resident Indians. A substantial portion of the funds was allegedly received from Amar ASBL, a Brussels-based non-profit organisation. During the searches, officials recovered several incriminating documents and digital records. The probe revealed that Amar ASBL, established in Brussels in 2011, is managed by Belgian nationals Jose Goffinet and his son Salian Goffinet. Despite operating exclusively in Jaisalmer, the organisation has neither registered any trust nor set up an NGO in India, and has allegedly conducted its activities through Deu Ram and Gyan Chand for the past 14 to 15 years. The ED alleged that the foreign donations were received without obtaining the required FCRA permissions and that the purpose of the remittances was misdeclared. Investigators further claimed that a portion of the funds was diverted for personal expenditure, while the remaining amount was used to influence the cultural and religious beliefs of vulnerable communities under the cover of providing educational support to children. According to the agency, nearly Rs 2.60 crore was withdrawn in cash from bank accounts linked to the recipients, while no proper books of accounts or financial records were maintained regarding the receipt and utilisation of the foreign funds. The investigation also found that Jose and Salian Goffinet allegedly visited Jaisalmer annually, interacted with families of beneficiary children, and organised meetings and religious gatherings. The ED said the foreign funds were routed through multiple purpose codes, including family maintenance, educational services, cultural and recreational services, commission agent services, and employee compensation, even though no such services were actually rendered to the Belgian organisation. The agency further alleged that after banks recently stopped accepting foreign remittances into the accounts of Deu Ram and Gyan Chand, efforts were made to route the funds through the personal bank accounts of other associates in Jaisalmer. Further investigation is underway.
Southwest monsoon has withdrawn from Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana: IMD
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the withdrawal line currently passes through Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Sikar, Rohtak, Patiala and Gurdaspur
NPCIL begins fuel loading at 700 MW Rajasthan nuclear project's Unit 8
NPCIL begins fuel loading at 700 mw Rawatbhata unit 8, prepares for commercial operation
Jodhpur's export logistics gains speed with 'Furniture Express'
Furniture Express has moved over 2,100 containers from Jodhpur to Mundra Port through 36 trains, helping Rajasthan exporters cut logistics costs and improve container availability
School Holiday Alert: Are Schools Closed in Rajasthan, Kerala, and Assam Today?
Are schools closed today, September 21, 2026? Check the latest updates on school holidays in Rajasthan, Kerala, and Assam due to state-specific festivals. Get details on exam schedules and bank closures.
In Pune Murder, Garland Photo Hints At Secret Marriage At Rajasthan Temple
Police developed suspicion of a hidden marriage after analysing mobile phone chats between the two accused.
Liquor worth over Rs 45 lakh seized in separate raids in three days across Gujarat
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 21 (IANS) The Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized IMFL and beer worth Rs 45.35 lakh in four separate raids across Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Surendranagar and Surat over the past three days, with the total value of liquor, vehicles and other material seized during the operations exceeding Rs 77 lakh, officials said on Monday. The latest seizure was made in Ahmedabad on Sunday, September 20, when the State Monitoring Cell recovered around 105 boxes containing 5,030 bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor and beer valued at Rs 15,58,800. The raid was conducted near Hanspura Overbridge on Sardar Patel Ring Road, on the public road leading from Dahegam towards Ahmedabad. Police Sub-Inspector D.A. Tuvar led the operation. A vehicle and other material were also seized during the operation, taking the total value of the seized property to Rs 30,58,800. A case was registered at Naroda Police Station against 10 accused, including one arrested and nine wanted, under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83 and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act and Sections 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The arrested accused has been identified as Jitendra alias Jitu Damor (Meena), a resident of Kherwada taluka in Udaipur district, Rajasthan. The wanted accused include Pravin Damor of Kherwada, Anil Dadu Bharda and Lokesh Patel, along with six others, including the person who allegedly ordered the liquor consignment to Ahmedabad. In another operation, the State Monitoring Cell seized around 94 boxes containing 4,326 bottles of IMFL and beer worth Rs 13,03,315 from the parking area of Sahyog Hotel near Chotila in Surendranagar district on Saturday, September 19. The raid was conducted by Police Sub-Inspector D.A. Tuvar on Ahmedabad-Rajkot National Highway 47. One vehicle was also seized, taking the total value of the seized material to Rs 20,03,315. A case was registered at Chotila Police Station against four wanted accused under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act. The accused include the driver and owner or custodian of the four-wheeler allegedly carrying the liquor, the person who sent the foreign liquor consignment, and the person who ordered it. On September 18, the cell seized around 91 boxes containing 3,372 bottles of IMFL and beer worth Rs 10,13,544 near D-Mart Circle on Mehsana Bypass Road. Police Inspector P.P. Brahmbhatt conducted the raid opposite Osiya Mall. A vehicle, a mobile phone, and other material were also seized, taking the total value to Rs 20,43,544. A case was registered at Mehsana Taluka Police Station against five accused under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act and Sections 111(3)(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Navrang Bhat was arrested, while Anand Raval of Sathiyala and the owner and FASTag holder of the four-wheeler carrying the liquor were among those listed as wanted. In Surat city, the cell seized around 55 boxes containing 2,143 bottles of IMFL and beer worth Rs 6,59,783 during raids at Singanpor village and at a room near Krupa Residency in Dargah Mohalla. Police Sub-Inspector A.G. Enurkar conducted the operation. Two mobile phones, cash and other material were also seized, taking the total value to Rs 6,76,273. Two accused, Rahul Vamanrao Lakdu (Ahire) and Shubham Kashyap, were arrested. Divyaben alias Dipu Patil, Jitubhai Patil and the persons who allegedly supplied the foreign liquor were named as wanted accused. The State Monitoring Cell said the raids were conducted following directions from Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik to take legal action against illegal liquor and gambling activities in the state.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday (September 21) secured the mayor's post in Pali Municipal Corporation in Rajasthan after receiving the support of 12 independent councillors.
A political controversy erupted after 18 Congress councillors from Rajasthan's Tijara Municipal Council went missing in Haryana while returning from Himachal Pradesh ahead of the chairperson election on Monday.The councillors had reportedly been staying together...
Two Alleged Shooters Linked to Lawrence Gang Arrested in Jodhpur Operation
Rajasthan Anti-Gangster Task Force arrests two shooters linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in Jodhpur, targeting a local businessman. Two Alleged Shooters Linked to Lawrence Gang Arrested in Jodhpur Operation
KAL, a long-range one-way attack drone indigenously designed and developed by Noida-based IG Defence, has successfully completed a trial at the Pokhran field firing range in Rajasthan, marking a significant milestone in India's development of...
Rajasthan High Court Halts Arrests of 10 Councillors Ahead of Local Elections
Rajasthan High Court grants interim protection to councillors from arrest just before local elections, ensuring their participation. Rajasthan High Court Halts Arrests of 10 Councillors Ahead of Local Elections
When schools turn children into props
In many of our Schools today, a familiar scene unfolds whenever an official or dignitary visits; students are lined up in neat rows, trained to clap, cheer and smile on cue, often performing dances or songs as if they were a professional troupe. Photographs and videos of these moments are routinely uploaded on school social media accounts, websites and WhatsApp groups. What is presented as discipline, respect or school pride is, in reality, a systematic erosion of childrens dignity, privacy and right to a fear-free childhood. The teachers and the management of these schools, without knowing the consequences, direct the children to be show-pieces and this culture has snowballed in to a crisis and a matter of deep concern for parents who do not want their children, especially girls to perform like this. The ritualistic reception staged for visiting officers, new headmasters or principals. Children, overwhelmingly girls, are lined up and made to sing film and folk numbers such as Aayiye aap ka intizaar tha or the Kashmiri song Shoukeh chaaneh waayou changeh taye saazo, aakhou shehr-e-sheerazo while showering flower petals on the arriving official, who often walks in as if on a red carpet, posing like a groom. This spectacle, redolent of the colonial-era babu culture, reduces young boys and girls to ornamental greeters and performers whose only role is to flatter authority. It has no place in a rights-based, democratic education system and stands in direct conflict with the childs right to dignity under Article 21 and Article 39(f) of the Constitution. On numerous occasions, children, again mostly girls, are orchestrated into public displays of grief when a teacher retires or is transferred. They are encouraged, sometimes actively coached, to weep, cry and moan while surrounding the departing teacher. These highly emotional scenes are filmed and later circulate widely on social media. Only after the videos go viral do the children and their parents grasp the lasting consequences; the girl who was seen sobbing and clinging in public becomes an object of mockery and ridicule for years. The trauma and shame she carries are neither spontaneous nor harmless; they are the direct result of adults engineering a performance of grief for sentimental or self-promotional effect. Such practices inflict mental harassment prohibited under Section 17 of the RTE Act and violate the childs right to privacy and dignity. A similar pattern appears during picnics, cultural programmes and even inside school buses. Girls are urged to sing, dance and perform in the heat of collective excitement, only for the moments to be recorded and shared. Later, when the videos surface online, the same children and their families experience deep embarrassment and mental agony, realising that in a moment of unguarded joy the child was pushed into behaviour she would never have chosen with full awareness of its permanent digital afterlife. Once again, schools failure to protect childs image and future reputation constitutes a clear breach of the protective obligations placed on educational institutions by the NCPCR guidelines, the DPDP Act and the constitutional guarantee of dignity. These practices are not harmless tradition. They treat children as decorative props for adult display and place their long-term honour and mental well-being at risk. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act) is clear. Education must take place in an environment free from fear, trauma and anxiety. Section 17 explicitly prohibits mental harassment. Forcing children to stand in formation, cheer like cheerleaders, or perform on demand for administrators or VIPs turns the school into a hierarchical stage rather than a space of learning and respect. This contradicts the very spirit of the Right to Education Act, which prioritises the childs all-round development and dignity. Article 39(f) of the Constitution further directs the State to ensure that children grow in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood is protected against exploitation and moral abandonment. Compulsory performances, especially when filmed, sit uncomfortably close to the line of exploitation. Photography and Videography of children inside schools or for that matter outside schools on roads by the school authorities or by any other agency including the media outlets, followed by posting on open social media platforms, raise even sharper concerns. Once an image or video is online, it can be downloaded, edited, shared and weaponised indefinitely. Children have no real control over this digital footprint. The Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v/s Union of India (2017) held that privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21. Childrens privacy interests are heightened because they cannot fully understand or consent to lifelong digital exposure. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 reinforces this: anyone under 18 is a child and processing their personal data, including photographs and videos, requires verifiable parental consent. Vague permissions buried in admission forms do not meet this standard. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has repeatedly stressed the need for a child-friendly, safe school environment. Its manuals on school safety and security, cyber-safety guidelines, and advisories on preventing bullying and cyber-bullying underline that schools act in loco parentis. Recent administrative orders, such as those issued by the Rajasthan Directorate of Secondary Education, explicitly cite NCPCR guidelines, Article 21 and the right to privacy while restricting unauthorised Photography, Videography and circulation of student images precisely to protect childrens dignity and safety. The risk is especially acute for girl students. When girls are asked or compelled to perform before authorities, or queue-up for a visiting officer or bow or bend for authorities or make special performances on the retirement of any Teacher, Headmaster or Principal, (which has recently become a norm in our UT Schools) and the videos remain online for years, the consequences can be severe in socially conservative settings. Such content has been known to attract moral policing, online abuse, character assassination and attempts to damage future careers and relationships. What begins as an innocent school performance can later become a source of lasting mental distress and social stigma for girls and hundreds of such cases have been reported. NCPCRs Guidelines for Child and Adolescent Participation in the Entertainment Industry caution against subjecting children to performances that expose them to ridicule or emotional harm, or that are beyond their maturity. Even when the performance is not commercial, filming and public posting effectively place the child in the digital public sphere without adequate safeguards. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Acts foundational principles, dignity of the child, protection of privacy and confidentiality further reinforce that schools must not create situations in which a childs image can later be used to stigmatise or exploit her. Schools must stop treating children as accessories for official visits and social-media engagement. This is both legally necessary and morally urgent to end compulsory lining-up, cheering and performing solely for the benefit of visiting authorities, obtain specific informed and verifiable parental consent before any photography or videography intended for public or social-media use, with a clear and easy opt-out. In situations where it is necessarily to post or disseminate any education related function involving students, school authorities must prefer non-identifiable images or blur faces when posting is unavoidable. School authorities must also recognise that the schools primary duty is to protect the childs dignity and future, not to generate content or impress officials. Children are not cheerleaders for the administration. They are rights-bearing individuals whose honour and mental peace must not be sacrificed for a few minutes of ceremonial applause or a social-media post. Education departments, school managements and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights have both the legal mandate and the moral responsibility to draw a firm line. A childs dignity is not a photo opportunity. It is a fundamental right and a prime responsibility for all the stakeholders. The Union Territorys Education Ministry, Directorate of School Education and all concerned education departments must take immediate cognizance of these deeply problematic practices. Strict notices and clear orders should be issued to every school; government, private and aided, directing them to end the use of children, particularly girls, as ornamental performers, emotional props or social-media content. In a society that still attaches high value to religious, moral and ethical norms, the lasting stigma, ridicule and mental trauma that can follow a girl from a viral school video are neither imaginary nor minor. Safeguarding the dignity, honour and future of every child is not optional; it is a constitutional and statutory duty. The authorities must act now to ensure that no school is allowed to compromise that duty in the name of tradition, ceremony or publicity. Meraj Zargar is a Tral-based social worker, has authored two books, with over two decades of literary and humanitarian work. Ideas are personal.
Gujarat Police Arrests Murder Accused After 24 Years on the Run
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A 54-year-old man wanted for a 2002 murder in Rajasthan has been arrested by Ahmedabads Crime Branch after 24 years on the run. Ahmedabad Crime Branch Arrests Fugitive in 2002 Rajasthan Murder Case
On The Run For 24 Years, Rajasthan Man Arrested From Gujarat For Murder
To evade law enforcement, Desai spent 24 years continuously shifting locations, concealing his identity, and working daily-wage labour jobs to stay under the radar.
Japan's air chief takes sortie in Tejas, hails it as 'truly invaluable experience' | WATCH
Japanese Air Force chief General Takehiro Morita on Sunday undertook a sortie in India's indigenously developed Tejas fighter aircraft during the bilateral aerial exercise 'Veer Guardian' in Rajasthan's Jodhpur. General Morita, the Chief of Staff of...
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Yudh Abhyas 2026: How India & US Are Preparing for the Future of War | GPS Jamming, AI & Drones
India and the United States are conducting the 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas across Uttarakhand and Rajasthan, with around 600 personnel from each army participating.This year's exercise goes beyond conventional field training, with Indian and American troops focusing on some of the biggest challenges of modern warfare, including GPS-denied and heavily jammed environments, artificial intelligence for intelligence analysis, counter-drone operations and cyber capabilities in multi-domain operations.The exercise also includes training and exchanges on high-altitude and cold-weather operations, aviation, mortars, snipers, medical support and information warfare.So, what exactly happens during Yudh Abhyas, and why does interoperability matter when two militaries use different equipment, procedures and command structures?Here's a closer look at Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 and the evolving India-US military partnership.#YudhAbhyas #IndianArmy #USArmy #IndiaUS #MilitaryExercise #ModernWarfare #DroneWarfare #AI #CyberWarfare #DefenceHq #TOI
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