Rajasthan civic polls: BJP candidate gets just 1 vote, Congress jibes

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged ahead of the Congress in Rajasthan's urban local body elections, winning 4,179 wards against the opposition party's 3,613 and securing clear majorities in four of the state's 10 municipal corporations.

The BJP has won 41% of the wards in Rajasthan's urban local body polls, while the Congress has won 35%. The results were declared during the vote count on Monday, 15 September.

The result gave the BJP another reason for celebration, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing the victory. However, what caught the attention of many was the saffron party's candidate Kailashchand, who contested from Ward 13 of Parbatsar municipality in Didwana-Kuchaman district.

Kailashchand got one vote. That too not from the ward he contested.

According to the State Election Commission website, Congress candidate Hina Khanam won the ward with 376 votes, while independent candidate Rashid Khan secured 195 votes.

The Congress party was quick to take a jibe at the BJP over the case.

"The result from Ward No. 13 in Parbatsar is making waves in the Rajasthan local body elections. BJP candidate Kailash Chand received only 1 vote, while Congress's Heena Khanam got 376 and independent Rashid Khan got 195 votes.

The biggest shock is the claim that Kailash Chand's wife and parents didn't vote for him either, the Congress party said.

Kailashchand told news agenc PTI that he was a voter of Ward 12, but the BJP fielded him from the neighbouring Ward 13.

"I got one vote. My vote is in Ward 12. I was fielded from Ward 13. Someone from that ward has voted for me," he said.

Parbatsar municipality has 25 wards. The Congress won 13 wards, securing a simple majority, while the BJP won 12.

PM Modi hails BJP victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the BJP's victory in Rajasthan's urban local body elections and said the win is proof of the victory of truth over the "echo of falsehood".

The BJP emerged ahead of the Congress in Rajasthan's urban local body elections, winning 4,179 wards against the opposition party's 3,613 and securing clear majorities in four of the state's 10 municipal corporations.

"Heartfelt gratitude to the public for securing a resounding victory for the BJP in the Rajasthan local body elections. This is proof of the victory of truth over the echo of falsehood," Modi said in a post on 'X' in Hindi.

The prime minister said this mandate from the people has once again made it clear that the double-engine government's policies of good governance and development have their full support.

Modi said with this win, the BJP's resolve to take the state to new heights of progress as well as bring happiness into the lives of every individual will be strengthened further.

"On this occasion, many congratulations to all the winning candidates as well as the dedicated and hardworking workers of the party," he said.

(With agency inputs)