Kota's Urban Body Polls Hit by EVM Glitches as Leopard Drama Unfolds in City Garden

Kota drew national attention this week through a series of significant events spanning democratic governance, wildlife, and public health. The second and final phase of Rajasthan's urban local body elections saw electronic voting machine failures at several booths in the city, even as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stepped out to cast his vote in Kota, lending the exercise civic symbolism. Separately, a wild leopard that wandered into the well-known Chattar Villas Garden triggered a three-hour rescue operation that ended safely for the animal and the community. And from the healthcare front, reports emerged of two women dying after cesarean surgeries performed at a Bundi hospital, with the patients having been referred to Kota for further treatment.

EVM Glitches Disrupt Final Phase of Rajasthan Urban Body Polls in Kota

Electronic voting machine malfunctions disrupted polling at several booths across Rajasthan during the second and final phase of the urban local body elections on September 11. Problems were reported at booths in Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Kota, Pushkar, and a number of other locations, leading to protests from voters and party workers who were unable to cast their ballots as scheduled. Election officials confirmed the disruptions and worked to address the technical issues to allow voting to resume. The poll covered 147 urban local bodies across the state, with more than 87 lakh registered voters eligible to decide the fate of 18,266 candidates contesting municipal seats. Polling hours were scheduled from 7 in the morning until 6 in the evening, giving a broad window for residents to participate. Kota drew prominent coverage when Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla cast his vote at a polling station in the city during this final phase. His participation was widely seen as an encouragement to citizens to exercise their democratic right and engage with the local government election process. Despite the EVM setbacks at various locations, the overall exercise was described as a significant democratic event for Rajasthan's urban centres. The polls determine leadership of municipal councils that oversee local services, infrastructure, and civic administration. Election authorities acknowledged the technical difficulties and indicated that corrective steps were taken at affected booths to restore the integrity of the voting process. [9]

Leopard Rescued from Kota's Chattar Villas Garden After Three-Hour Operation

Residents of Kota were confronted with an unexpected wildlife encounter when a leopard strayed into the city's Chattar Villas Garden, a popular public park regularly used by morning walkers and fitness enthusiasts. The animal's sudden appearance caused immediate panic and cleared the garden as word spread quickly through the surrounding neighbourhood. The leopard sought refuge by climbing a mango tree within the garden, ascending to a height of approximately 40 feet where it remained as authorities were alerted and began mobilising. Forest department officials and wildlife experts responded swiftly, assembling at the scene and securing the perimeter to protect both the public and the animal. The rescue operation lasted approximately three hours as the team prepared and administered the tranquiliser necessary to safely bring the animal down from the tree. Onlookers were kept at a safe distance throughout the operation, and no injuries to people or to the leopard were reported. Once the tranquiliser took effect, forest officials carefully received the sedated leopard and examined it to assess its condition. The animal was then transported to Abheda Biological Park, where it could be housed in a suitable environment and monitored for any signs of distress. The episode highlighted how wildlife corridors near Kota sometimes bring animals into proximity with densely populated urban areas. Local residents and wildlife enthusiasts praised the coordinated response of the forest department for ensuring a safe outcome for both the community and the leopard. [10]

Two Women Die After Cesarean Section, Referred from Bundi to Kota Facility

Two women who underwent cesarean section surgeries at the district women's hospital in Bundi died subsequently at a healthcare facility in Kota, raising serious questions about medical care and hospital accountability. The women were referred from Bundi to Kota after their health deteriorated sharply following the surgical procedures, reflecting the limits of available care at the district hospital. A third woman who had undergone a cesarean at the same Bundi facility was reported to be in a critical condition, deepening concern about the safety of the procedures carried out there. Irate villagers gathered and staged a protest at the native place of one of the deceased women, identified as Varsha Sen, expressing grief and demanding accountability for the deaths. The demonstrations reflected widespread frustration among the community about the standard of care provided at government-run hospitals in the region. Questions were raised about staffing, oversight, and the protocols followed during and after the surgical procedures at the Bundi hospital. Health department officials came under pressure to launch a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding both the surgeries and the subsequent deterioration of the patients. The incident brought renewed attention to the state of maternal healthcare infrastructure at district-level public hospitals in Rajasthan. Community leaders and opposition voices called for immediate action and transparent accountability for the deaths. The tragedy underscored an urgent need to strengthen maternal and surgical care services across government hospitals serving communities throughout the state. [5]

Sources: [9] DT Next · [10] Telangana Today · [5] ETV Bharat