Jaipur, Sept. 14 -- The fate of 38,889 candidates will be decided on Monday as counting begins at 8 am for elections to 309 urban local bodies (ULBs) across Rajasthan, with results expected by afternoon. The outcome will determine which parties form boards in the state's municipalities, municipal councils and corporations. The elections, held in two phases on September 9 and 11 across 10,167 wards, recorded an overall turnout of 74.05%. The first phase covering 162 ULBs saw 76.41% polling, while the second, covering 147 ULBs, recorded 71.69%. With the results approaching, the BJP and Congress have intensified efforts to keep their winning and potential candidates together amid fears of cross-voting and horse-trading in closely contested local bodies. Both parties have also reached out to independents who could prove crucial if neither secures a clear majority. Congress has kept around 150 of its Jaipur municipal corporation candidates at a resort in Bassi, with private bouncers deployed for security. The candidates were moved there under the supervision of MLAs and senior party leaders to prevent defections and keep the group intact ahead of the results. In Sikar, BJP candidates contesting the municipal council have been housed at a private hotel near Khatushyamji. Both parties have similarly kept candidates together in other local bodies and are reaching out to likely-winning independents. The resort politics triggered a controversy in Alwar's Ramgarh after police reached a resort in Akbarpur to take independent candidate Anju Sharma of Ward 10 following a complaint from her family. Former MLA Safia Khan and Congress workers opposed the action, leading to a commotion. Police later returned after Sharma gave a written statement that she was staying at the resort voluntarily. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully accused the BJP-led government of misusing the police and administration to exert political pressure during the civic elections. In a video message posted on social media after the incident, Jully said Rajasthan had never witnessed such practices during elections and urged the government not to interfere in the democratic process through the police and administration. Addressing chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Jully said, "If you need a certain number of councillors, just tell us and we will give them to you. Why are you resorting to such tactics and injustice?" Jully claimed similar complaints were being received from across the state and said the people's mandate should be respected. "Dictatorship has never worked in Rajasthan and will not work in the future either," he said. The BJP hit back. Chief spokesperson Ramlal Sharma told HT, "The Congress has a long history of using such undemocratic tactics. Reports of the party forcibly confining independent candidates are emerging from across the state. By obstructing the Police from taking its course, Congress leaders have demonstrated that they have faith neither in the law nor in democracy." The State Election Commission has issued colour-coded identity and entry passes for counting. Pink cards are for presiding officers and counting supervisors, light green for polling officers and counting assistants, and yellow for counting agents. Media personnel will enter with authorised pink passes. White passes will be used for counting centres, while vehicle passes will be white and yellow. No one will be allowed entry without a photo identity card. Where no party wins a majority, independents and smaller groups are likely to hold the key to board formation. The election of mayors, chairpersons and municipal board heads will be held on September 21....