Jaipur: The election battle in Ward 98 under Civil Lines zone has taken an interesting turn, with two candidates filing nominations in the name of BJP and a former councillor challenging the nomination of the party’s officially declared candidate. The nomination process for the wards concluded Monday. Subhash Singhi, who figures in BJP’s official list of candidates, filed his nomination, while former councillor Uttam Sharma also filed his nomination from Ward 98 in the name of BJP.On Tuesday, Sharma submitted a written objection to the returning officer of Ward No. 98, challenging Singhi’s nomination. He also wrote to State Election Commission, seeking its intervention in the matter.Singhi’s nomination affidavit shows “Not Applicable”/“Nil” against the section seeking details of criminal convictions. However, documents submitted by Sharma include court records relating to a case under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act against Singhi. A trial court, in its judgement dated July 12, 2024, convicted Singhi and sentenced him to six months’ simple imprisonment and ordered compensation of Rs 9 lakh.Singhi subsequently challenged the conviction in an appeal. However, the appellate court dismissed the appeal on Sept 1, 2025, upholding the trial court’s conviction and the entire sentence. The issue has now become a political flashpoint in Ward 98. Sharma has questioned why the conviction was not disclosed in Singhi’s election affidavit when the court records show that he had been convicted and sentenced in the case. Sharma has asked the returning officer to examine the matter and cancel Singhi’s nomination.Speaking about the controversy, Sharma claimed he will contest the councillor election as BJP candidate and said he would get Singhi’s nomination cancelled.Sharma was previously a Congress councillor. In 2025, he joined BJP amid political discussions over the post of chairperson in the then Jaipur Municipal Corporation Heritage. His decision to contest from Ward 98 on a BJP nomination, while simultaneously challenging the nomination of the party’s officially declared candidate, has now brought him back into the spotlight in Jaipur’s local politics.
