Jaipur, Sept. 21 -- Rajasthan's urban local body elections entered a decisive phase on Monday, with councillors voting to elect mayors, chairpersons and presidents in 273 civic bodies in a contest between the BJP and Congress. Allegations of poaching, threats and pressure have added to the political drama. Candidates in 32 civic bodies were elected unopposed after withdrawal of nominations on September 18, leaving 273 posts to be decided through voting. The unopposed elections include the mayoral posts of Bharatpur and Bhilwara municipal corporations. Of the 32 unopposed heads, 28 are from BJP, two Congress and two independents. A total of 592 candidates remain after 197 of 820 eligible candidates withdrew their nominations. Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota municipal corporations, along with Suket municipality, will vote on September 25 after EVM-related issues necessitated re-polling in affected wards. The mayor polls are significant because independents hold the balance in boards. Across 309 urban local bodies, BJP emerged as the largest party with 4,179 ward wins, followed by Congress with 3,613 and independents with 2,273. With neither major party holding an outright majority in several councils and municipalities, both have stepped up efforts to consolidate councillors and secure independent support. The contest has triggered "resort politics", with parties moving councillors to hotels, resorts and other secure locations to prevent cross-voting and last-minute defections. Congress has complained of pressure at 46 locations, alleging councillors were threatened, followed, pressured or forcibly taken away, and that attempts were made to breach camps. The allegations have not been independently established in every case, while BJP has rejected Congress's charges. Sangaria in Hanumangarh has emerged as a key flashpoint. Police travelled to Punjab after a kidnapping case was registered concerning Congress councillors Omprakash Swami and Sahil Swami. Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia confronted police, alleging the case was being used to pressure the councillors and break the party's camp. The two later denied being kidnapped and told police they had travelled to Punjab voluntarily. Sangaria has 35 wards: independents won 25, Congress eight and BJP two. In Dungarpur, rumours of missing Congress councillors created a stir. The contest is between BJP's Sushila Gupta and Congress's Bharat Nagda. Nagda dismissed the reports as baseless. In Jalore, Congress alleged councillors and family members were being pressured to vote for the BJP candidate, claiming rallies were held outside homes, threatening calls made and inducements offered. It said it had submitted a memorandum to the district administration. In Jamvaramgarh, Congress leaders complained to police of harassment and intimidation. In Khandar, BJP councillor Manvendra's wife and father accused his own party of forcibly confining him in a camp. Tikaram Jully, Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, accused BJP leaders of threatening and attempting to pressure Congress councillors camping in Dhani, Laxmangarh. In a post on X, Jully alleged police and administration were acting as silent spectators and urged chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to intervene. He sought immediate police action and security, alleging attempts to "steal" councillors and votes to form BJP-controlled civic boards. Senior BJP leader Rajendra Rathore claimed several newly elected Congress councillors had contacted him expressing willingness to join BJP, but said the party would decide only after assessing their political record and public image. Rathore said no senior Congress leader was actively visible during the campaign and alleged Congress had become divided and focused on issuing statements. The deputy mayor, deputy chairperson and vice-chairperson elections will follow as parties seek control of civic boards....