BJP’s Somya, Greater’s first woman mayor, gets 97 councillors’ support

Jaipur:

Somya Gurjar

of BJP was elected mayor of Jaipur Greater municipal corporation (GMC) on Tuesday. Gurjar defeated 28-year-old Oxford returned Divya Singh of Congress by a margin of 44 votes. The BJP candidate got 97 votes in her favour, while the Congress candidate received 53 votes.

Gurjar has scripted history by becoming the first mayor of Jaipur Greater. Talking to TOI after her victory Gurjar said, “Our aim will be to have transparent functioning at the municipal corporation. Efforts will be made to strengthen heath, sanitation and security (swasthya, suraksha, swacchta) in the city.”

It appears that nine Independent councillors out of total 16 voted for Gurjar, while seven remaining supported Divya Singh. Gurjar, former women’s commission member, was entangled in a controversy after she clicked a ‘selfie’ with a rape victim in 2016. She was handpicked by RSS and fielded in Greater municipal corporation, where BJP party has a stronghold.

The 150 wards of GMC cover five constituencies. While the BJP party has made strong grip in the three constituencies including Sanganer, Vidhyadhar Nagar and Malviya Nagar, two constituencies — Bagru and Jhotwara — are dominated by the Congress after winning the state assembly elections.

Out of total 42 wards in Vidhyadhar Nagar constituency, BJP secured 27 seats. Similarly, BJP won 22 out of 40 seats in Sanganer constituency from where BJP former mayor Ashok Lahoty was elected in the bypolls. In Malviya Nagar the party won 16 seats.

Gurjar allegedly faced opposition by local city MLAs as she hails from Karauli. Before the elections city MLAs had meekly protested that party should not field a candidate from outside Jaipur. However, member of Parliament (MP) from Jaipur, Ram Charan Bohra and Sanganer MLA Ashok Lahoty were seen at JMC headquarters during the election on Tuesday. While talking to the media, Gurjar said, “BJP party leaders and members are disciplined. I have been getting support from all my seniors and colleagues.”