Councillors in camps, allegations fly as Rajasthan civic body polls near

As election dates for chairpersons and mayors in Rajasthan civic bodies approach, the Congress claims that the BJP is leveraging police and administrative resources to pressure and persuade councillors to abandon the Congress camp, aiming to sway election results. This allegation has been raised across various regions including Sikar, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Bansur, Fatehpur, and Kuchera.

Both parties have relocated their councillors to isolated areas to thwart potential cross-voting. In the upcoming chairperson election in Sikar on September 21, the Congress holds 38 councillors compared to the BJP's 22, along with four independents and one RLP councillor.

Despite numerical advantage, Congress officials express concerns over the alleged influence attempts on their councillors prior to voting. Additionally, former Congress state chief Govind Singh Dotasra claims that Congress representatives and their supporters are being intimidated, with threats of demolition notices or legal actions.

He cites instances where police have removed councillors or pressured them into separating from the Congress camp, citing demolition notices or legal actions. In Bharatpur, Dotasra asserts that the BJP government is employing dictatorial control over the police and administration, threatening CM Bhajan Lal's reputation as this is his home district.

The Congress has retaliated by sequestering their councillors at isolated locations, including relocation of families. A video from the Laxmangarh camp depicts Congress and independent-backed councillors engaged in activities together. BJP has similarly gathered winning councillors at secluded spots. In Alwar, Congress leader Tika Ram Jully remains vigilant as BJP monitors for any loophole to remove Congress candidates.

Jully criticizes police cooperation with the government, citing instances like police actions in Mandhan-Behror, deployment of GST and Environment Department teams near a Congress candidate's factory, and attempts to pressure Congress Councillor Manoj Bishnoi in Bikaner through a Bikaner Development Authority notice. Jully firmly states that the misuse of power, administrative pressure, and police misconduct will not be tolerated, emphasizing that public verdict in local body elections should not be subverted through coercion or horse-trading.

In Ajmer, where Congress's Kiran Gadwal and BJP's Anamika Sharma are engaged in a direct competition for mayor, Congress leaders accuse the administration and police of favoring the BJP. Congress workers have submitted petitions to the district collector and Superintendent of Police, requesting an inquiry into alleged pressure tactics and incidents.

BJP leader Rajendra Rathore dismisses these allegations, comparing Congress' condition to a cat scratching a pole, stating that if Congress councillors appreciate the BJP's performance, they should remain with the party. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's removal of MLAs to prevent horse trading for 34 days is cited as an example, suggesting Congress should not lecture BJP on the matter.

With crucial votes pending, both parties are keeping their councillors together, transforming post-election phase into a fresh political struggle over whether elected members align with their respective camps until the final vote.