JAIPUR, Sept. 15 -- Rajasthan's urban local body election results have produced a mixed verdict for the BJP and Congress, with independents emerging as the decisive force in several cities and civic bodies. The results have left both major parties facing hung houses in corporations, making the battle for board formation the next political test. Till the report was filed, of 10,244 wards, BJP had won 4,177, Congress 3,602, independents 2,273, RLP 63, CPIM 38, AAP 42, BSP 19 and BAP eight. The elections, held in two phases on September 9 and 11 across 10,167 wards, recorded 74.05% turnout. The first phase covering 162 ULBs recorded 76.41% polling, while the second phase covering 147 ULBs recorded 71.69%. Of the 10 municipal corporations, BJP emerged as the largest party in Jaipur, Kota and Alwar and secured clear majorities in Udaipur and Bhilwara. Congress secured a clear majority in Bikaner and emerged as the single-largest party in Ajmer and Pali. Bharatpur produced the strongest showing by independents, while Jodhpur witnessed an almost exact BJP-Congress tie. Ajmer was among BJP's biggest setbacks. Congress won 37 of 80 wards, BJP 32 and independents 11. With 41 needed for a majority, both parties will require outside support. BJP had won 48 wards and formed the board in the previous election. Bharatpur delivered a dramatic verdict. Independents won 36 of 65 wards, compared with 20 for BJP and seven for Congress. BSP and RLP won one each. Independents therefore hold more seats than the two parties combined and are likely to decide the next board. In Jaipur, BJP won 75 of the 150 wards, one short of a majority, against 50 for Congress and 12 independents. BJP will need an independent councillor or other support. Former Jaipur mayor Jyoti Khandelwal, who left Congress to contest on a BJP ticket, lost Ward 110 to Congress candidate Sunita Methi and failed to lead at any polling booth. BJP's Sunil Kothari, considered a contender for mayor, won by more than 900 votes. Congress also won Ward 113 by 10,014 votes. Jodhpur produced the closest contest. Of 99 declared wards, BJP and Congress won 44 each, independents 10 and RLP one. The Ward 50 result was withheld after an EVM malfunction, with a re-poll proposed. With 51 seats needed, independents and the RLP councillor could determine the board. Pali also produced a hung house, with Congress winning 29 of 65 wards, BJP 21 and independents 15. BJP retained Kota with 55 of 100 declared wards, against Congress's 39 and four independents. In Udaipur, BJP will retain control for a seventh consecutive term after winning 53 of 80 wards. Congress won 23, CPI(M) one and independents three. BJP improved from 44 seats in 2019. Congress secured a clear majority in Bikaner and retained Sikar for a third consecutive term, winning 38 of 65 wards against BJP's 22. In BJP leader Vasundhara Raje's traditional stronghold of Jhalawar, Congress won 29 of 45 wards, crossing the 23-seat majority mark, while BJP won 13, independents two and AAP one. Independents also influenced smaller bodies. Dholpur saw Congress win 27 of 60, BJP 11, independents 19 and BSP three. Beawar had BJP 23, Congress 20 and independents 13. Didwana recorded Congress 16, BJP nine and independents 14, while Kuchaman had Congress 17, BJP 15 and independents 13. Sri Ganganagar returned BJP 30, Congress 17 and independents 18; Jhunjhunu had Congress 30 of 60, BJP 15 and independents 15. Gangapur City had Congress 27, BJP 17 and independents 16. In Kotputli, independents were the largest bloc with 29, against BJP's 19 and Congress's 13. BJP secured clear majorities in Chomu, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Rajsamand, Pushkar and Sujangarh. Congress won clear majorities in Sirohi, Tonk and Karauli. BJP also returned to power in Barmer after around 15 years, winning 29 of 55 wards against Congress's 21. The results underline that Rajasthan's urban politics cannot be reduced to a BJP-Congress contest. Local candidates, rebels and independents played a key role. In Ajmer, Bharatpur, Jodhpur, Pali, Dholpur, Beawar, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sri Ganganagar and Kotputli, independents hold the balance of power. Mayors, chairpersons and municipal board heads will be elected on September 21, making the coming week crucial for both parties as they seek control of the most local bodies....