Jaipur: BJP has returned to power in Jaipur Municipal Corporation, but its narrow majority and the rise of independents have highlighted a tighter contest in the city after delimitation.In the 150-member corporation, the majority mark is 76. BJP won 78 wards, just two above the threshold, while Congress secured 53 and independents 15. Repolling has been ordered in four wards: 18, 9, 25 and 34, leaving the final balance open at the margins, though not enough to immediately threaten BJP’s control.BJP’s margin is notably slimmer than its position in the areas that earlier constituted JMC Greater, covering the assembly segments of Vidhyadhar Nagar, Jhotwara, Sanganer, Bagru and Malviya Nagar.In 2020, BJP had won 88 of the 150 seats in JMC Greater. Following delimitation, these areas were reorganised into 87 wards, of which BJP won 49. Its share declined from about 59% in 2020 to 56% this time. Congress also saw its share fall in these areas, from roughly 33% in 2020 to 30% this time. Independents, meanwhile, increased their relative presence, winning seven of the 87 wards compared with 10 of the earlier 150.The shift was more pronounced in areas of the former JMC Heritage, covering three Assembly constituencies represented by Congress MLAs. In 2020, Congress had won 47 of the 100 seats there, ahead of BJP’s 42, while independents had won 11.After delimitation, these areas account for 63 wards. BJP won 29, or 46.03%, while Congress secured 26, or 41%. Independents won eight wards, taking their share to about 12%.Congress workers attributed the party’s losses in several wards to independents, particularly in Congress-leaning and minority-dominated pockets.“Independents blocked Congress candidates in several such wards, giving the BJP a clear route to a majority. For the BJP, the win is real, but delimitation and rebel-backed independents have exposed thinner ground across key urban Assembly belts ahead of future civic battles,” veteran Congress worker Iqbal Qureshi said.
