Ajmer Desi news — 2026-09-18
Political tensions have escalated in Ajmer ahead of the September 21 mayor election, with the BJP failing in its bid to block the Congress nominee and Congress subsequently relocating 37 councillors and five independents to Bengaluru as a safeguard against poaching. The city has also been shaken by the escape of a life-term convict from its open jail facility, prompting a statewide manhunt.
BJP Fails to Block Congress Mayor Nominee After Day-Long Standoff in Ajmer
A bid by the Bharatiya Janata Party to prevent the Congress from fielding its nominee in the upcoming Ajmer mayor election ended in failure after a prolonged day-long standoff. The BJP's attempt to block the Congress mayor nominee did not succeed, and the Congress party's candidate remained eligible to contest the election, which was scheduled to be held on September 21. The day-long standoff underscored the sharp political rivalry between the two major parties over Ajmer's civic administration and the mayoral post. The incident highlighted the competitive and often contentious nature of local body elections in Rajasthan, where both parties have significant stakes in controlling municipal administration. The BJP's failed attempt to knock out the Congress nominee has added intensity to the pre-election political atmosphere in Ajmer, with both parties mobilising their resources and supporters ahead of the polling date. The outcome of the effort reflects the resolve of the Congress party in fielding its chosen candidate despite opposition pressure. Civic elections in Ajmer have long been closely contested, and the upcoming mayoral vote is expected to attract significant attention from party leaderships at the state and national level. [1]
Life-Term Convict Escapes From Ajmer Open Jail, Police Launch Statewide Manhunt
A prisoner serving a life sentence escaped from the open jail facility attached to Ajmer Central Jail, prompting law enforcement authorities to launch a statewide manhunt to trace and apprehend the individual. Police teams have been deployed and multiple districts across Rajasthan have been placed on alert following the escape. Investigators are examining closed-circuit television footage from the area and questioning witnesses as part of efforts to determine how the escape occurred and to narrow down the search. The incident has raised serious questions about the adequacy of security protocols at open jail facilities in Rajasthan. Open prisons, which are designed to provide a measure of freedom to long-term or rehabilitated prisoners, typically rely on the voluntary compliance of inmates with institutional rules. The escape of a life convict from such a facility has prompted scrutiny of the oversight mechanisms currently in place at open prisons across the state. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the circumstances leading up to the escape. Prison officials and law enforcement agencies are working jointly to ensure the fugitive is located at the earliest. The incident is expected to prompt a review of security arrangements at open prison facilities in Rajasthan. [2]
Congress Moves 37 Councillors to Bengaluru Ahead of Ajmer Mayor Election
Ahead of the Ajmer mayor election scheduled for September 21, the Congress party relocated 37 of its councillors along with five independent councillors to Bengaluru as a precautionary measure to protect them from potential poaching by the Bharatiya Janata Party. The decision to move the elected representatives out of Ajmer reflects the high-stakes nature of the mayoral contest and the Congress party's concern about retaining its numerical strength in the council before the vote. The strategy of relocating councillors to a secure location is a known political tactic employed by parties to consolidate their numbers ahead of crucial civic or legislative votes. The move by Congress followed an earlier failed bid by the BJP to prevent the Congress mayor nominee from contesting the election, in what turned into a day-long standoff. With a combined group of 42 elected representatives secured outside the city, the Congress party appears confident of maintaining its majority and supporting its chosen mayoral candidate. The relocation also signals the competitive intensity surrounding civic governance in Ajmer, with both parties deploying elaborate strategies to secure a win in the mayoral election. [3]
Sources: [1] The Times of India · [2] India Today · [3] The Hans India