Rajasthan Congress Sets Up Panel to Probe Cross-Voting, Civic Poll Setbacks

The Rajasthan Congress has constituted a nine-member committee to examine allegations of cross-voting, organisational lapses and poor floor management following the party's setbacks in the state's recent urban local body elections.

The panel, headed by former Rajasthan Assembly Speaker C.P. Joshi, has been asked to submit its report and recommendations within seven days. The committee includes Ramsingh Kaswan, Murarilal Meena, Kuldeep Indora, Pramod Jain Bhaya, Shakuntala Rawat, Hakam Ali, Ganesh Ghoghra and Raghuvir Singh Rathore.

The Pradesh Congress Committee has sought reports from district units over complaints that some councillors allegedly voted against official party candidates during elections for mayor, deputy mayor and chairperson posts. The party is examining individual cases before deciding whether disciplinary action is warranted.

The inquiry follows instances in which Congress failed to secure key civic posts despite having substantial representation among councillors. The party had earlier sought reports from several districts, including Bhilwara, Barmer, Dholpur, Pali, Bikaner and Ajmer, over allegations of cross-voting, councillors not following the party line and delays in issuing official election symbols.

The Bikaner elections have also featured in the party's internal review. Congress retained control of the Bikaner Municipal Corporation after its mayoral candidate Anil Kalla defeated the BJP nominee 50-30. However, the party had faced concerns over internal dissent and the possibility of cross-voting during the election process.

The committee will also examine the party's performance in other municipal corporations and local bodies, including Ajmer, Kota and Pali, as well as the handling of councillors during the formation of civic boards.

Another matter before the Rajasthan Congress is the controversy in Bhilwara, where 17 Congress candidates were reportedly unable to contest using the party symbol after the required authorisation letters were not submitted within the prescribed time. The episode became a source of internal dispute and was subsequently taken up with the party's senior leadership.

The Bhilwara civic poll results compounded the setback for Congress. The BJP won 45 of the 70 seats in the municipal corporation, while Congress secured 10 and independents won 15.

Congress leaders in the district have continued to raise questions over responsibility for the symbol-related episode, while a recent protest outside the district Congress office brought the issue back into focus. Questions have also been raised within the party about the roles of senior local leaders, including Dhiraj Gurjar and Ramlal Jat.

The party has separately alleged that some of its councillors faced pressure and attempts to influence their voting during the post-election process. Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra had sought an inquiry by the State Election Commission into allegations involving the administration and police.

The new committee is expected to examine the circumstances behind the party's civic poll setbacks, including the conduct of councillors and the role of party leaders, before submitting its findings to the Rajasthan Congress leadership.