DUNGARPUR, India The Congress suffered another setback in the Dungarpur Municipal Council elections after its candidate from Ward 28, Prateek Balat, withdrew his nomination, paving the way for BJP candidate Chetan Kharadi to be elected unopposed.

The development came before polling began in the civic elections. With the withdrawal, Kharadi is now the only candidate in the fray in Ward 28, making his unopposed election virtually certain.

The latest development means BJP candidates are set to win two of the 40 wards unopposed in the Dungarpur Municipal Council elections.

Second Setback for Congress

The Ward 28 development comes after the nomination of a Congress candidate from Ward 23 was rejected, giving the BJP an early advantage in the local civic polls.

On Wednesday, Balat appeared before the returning officer and formally withdrew his nomination from Ward 28. The ward had emerged as a direct BJP-Congress contest, but his withdrawal left BJP's Kharadi as the sole candidate.

BJP Gains Early Advantage

With two wards now headed for unopposed BJP victories even before polling, the development has triggered political discussion in Dungarpur.

The civic election features 40 wards, and the BJP's early gains are being viewed as a significant advantage as both parties prepare for the remaining contests.

The formal declaration of the unopposed winners will follow the completion of the prescribed election process.