Udaipur: Voting for the Udaipur Nagar Nigam mayor’s post will be held on Monday, with BJP keeping its councillors at a resort to prevent cross-voting and secure victory for its candidate, Paras Singhvi.Singhvi is considered almost certain to become mayor, with BJP also seeking support from independent councillors to boost its numbers.BJP councillors were briefed on the ballot-paper voting process on Sunday evening. In the 80-member body, BJP won 53 seats, Congress 23, while three independents and one CPI-M councillor were elected.Congress has fielded Poonam Kunwar Rathore, wife of Congress district president Fatehsingh Rathore. The party has claimed it is in contact with CPI-M and independent councillors, while BJP is also maintaining contact with independents.CPM councillor Rajendra Vasita has announced support for Rathore. CPI-M district secretary Rajesh Singhvi said the party’s state committee took the decision in protest against BJP’s “anti-people and communal policies”.After the mayoral voting, BJP leaders will discuss candidates for deputy mayor on Monday night. Senior party leaders are expected to build a consensus on Tuesday, with the preference of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also likely to be considered.Dinesh Bhatt, Kavita Joshi and Pankaj Borana are in contention for the deputy mayor’s post.
