The political landscape of Jodhpur has witnessed a significant development following the announcement of the repolling results for Ward 50 of the Municipal Corporation. On Thursday morning, the electoral verdict for polling station 338 was officially declared, marking a crucial victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Hemaram Chaudhary, the BJP candidate, emerged victorious in this closely contested battle, securing his seat by a margin of 82 votes. This win is a strategic boost for the BJP, as it brings the party's total strength in the 100-member corporation to 45 members, placing them within striking distance of the majority mark.
Detailed Breakdown of the Election Results
According to the official data released by Returning Officer Ramkishore Meena, the contest saw a diverse distribution of votes among various candidates. Hemaram Chaudhary of the BJP garnered a total of 1725 votes, successfully maintaining a lead over his primary opponent. The Congress party's candidate, Yuvraj, managed to secure 1642 votes, falling short by 82 votes in the final count. The election also featured several independent and third-party candidates who played a role in the final outcome. Independent candidate Rinku Mewara received 540 votes, while Deepak Jangid, representing the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), obtained 155 votes. Another independent candidate, Deshraj Singh, secured 113 votes. On top of that, 82 voters chose the NOTA (None of the Above) option. Umed Chaudhary, the polling agent for Hemaram Chaudhary, expressed his gratitude to the residents of the area for ensuring a peaceful and orderly voting process during the repolling held on Wednesday.
The Race for the Mayor's Post
With the conclusion of the Ward 50 repolling, the focus has now shifted to the formation of the municipal board. In the 100-member Jodhpur Municipal Corporation, a party requires 51 members to appoint its Mayor. Currently, the BJP stands at 45 seats, necessitating the support of at least 6 more members to reach the magic number. The role of independent candidates has become pivotal in this scenario. Out of the 10 independent candidates who won across the corporation, the BJP has already made significant inroads. Four independent candidates with BJP ideologies have already joined the party's camp. Plus, three rebels from the Congress party have also expressed their readiness to support the BJP, potentially bringing the total support beyond the required 51 seats.
Strategic Management and Upcoming Vote
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has taken a keen interest in the Jodhpur mayoral race, assigning the responsibility of board formation to Minister of State KK Bishnoi. Bishnoi and his team have reportedly completed the necessary political management to ensure a BJP victory. To prevent any cross-voting or poaching, all winning councilors supporting the BJP have been moved to Mount Abu. The final voting for the Mayor's position is scheduled to take place on 21 September. The BJP leadership remains confident that they will secure more than 51 votes, successfully establishing their board in the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation. The single seat won by the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party also remains a factor in the broader political calculations as the date for the final mayoral election approaches.
