# Rajasthan civic polls: BJP leads, Independents strong in Bharatpur

2026-09-14T07:53:29+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 5 independent outlets

Counting for 10,245 councillor posts across 309 urban local bodies in Rajasthan began on Monday, with the BJP leading in 2,701 wards and the Congress in 2,244, according to latest trends. Independent candidates won 1,040 wards, the RLP 42, and smaller parties the rest. More than 1.44 crore voters were eligible, with a turnout of 76.42% in phase one and 70.68% in phase two. In the CM’s home district Bharatpur, independents won 38 of 65 wards, outpacing the BJP (20) and Congress (7). The Congress swept Pali (29 of 65 wards) and won in Dholpur and Dausa. The BJP secured Udaipur and led in Jodhpur. Repolling has been ordered at one booth in Sanganer. Elections for mayors and chairpersons are set for September 21, followed by deputy posts on September 22.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The early lead figures differ: ABP News gives the BJP a clear edge (1,937 wards) while Mathrubhumi shows a narrower contest (BJP 2,701, Congress 2,244). The BJP-led Hindustan Times focuses on wins in Udaipur and Jodhpur but flags Independent dominance in the CM’s home district Bharatpur, where Times Now also notes a close race. India TV’s separate piece on Bikaner shows Congress ahead 26-21 there. The spread suggests the verdict is fragmented: both major parties claim gains while Independents upset expectations in key cities. The mayor elections on September 21 will test whether alliances shift.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com (neutral report) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rajasthan-local-body-election-results-2026-live-updates-rajasthan-vote-counting-result-bjp-congress-jaipur-jodhpur-kota-101789365666570.html>
  Leads with BJP early lead and Congress challenges, frames Independents' upset in CM's district
- timesnownews.com (neutral report) <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/rajasthan-local-body-polls-first-test-for-bhajan-lal-led-govt-as-counting-underway-article-156153893>
  Frames race as neck-and-neck between BJP and Congress, emphasises security arrangements
- english.mathrubhumi.com (neutral report) <https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/rajasthan-civic-polls-results-vote-counting-updates-uni5phj0>
  Provides ward-level tallies and Congress predictions, reports order for repoll at one booth
- news.abplive.com (pro government) <https://news.abplive.com/cities/rajasthan-urban-local-body-polls-bjp-takes-early-lead-as-counting-of-votes-underway-1866662>
  Frames BJP early lead as dominant, downplays Congress and Independents
- indiatvnews.com (neutral report) <https://www.indiatvnews.com/rajasthan/bharatpur-municipal-corporation-election-results-independents-upset-bjp-congress-in-cm-s-home-district-2026-09-14-1054190>
  Factual turnout figures only, no ward results, frames as open contest
- indiatvnews.com (neutral report) <https://www.indiatvnews.com/rajasthan/bikaner-municipal-corporation-election-results-2026-bikaner-nagar-nigam-full-list-of-ward-wise-winners-of-bjp-congress-rajasthan-civic-body-polls-2026-09-14-1054185>
  Factual turnout figures only, no ward results, frames as open contest
- indiatvnews.com (neutral report) <https://www.indiatvnews.com/rajasthan/alwar-municipal-corporation-election-results-live-updates-winning-trailing-candidates-bjp-congress-aap-political-reactions-1054151>
  Factual turnout figures only, no ward results, frames as open contest

Tags: Bhajan Lal Sharma, BJP, Congress, Rajasthan, Rajasthan State Election Commission
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/rajasthan-civic-polls-bjp-leads-early-independents-strong/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/rajasthan-civic-polls-bjp-leads-early-independents-strong/#story-in-brief