Gen Z Candidates Break Through in Rajasthan Civic Polls, Six Win in Jaipur

The recent urban local body elections in Rajasthan have marked a modest but notable entry of Gen Z candidates into the state's local governance. In the Jaipur Municipal Corporation polls, 18 Gen Z candidates were fielded by the BJP and Congress across 150 wards. Six of them — four from Congress and two from the BJP — emerged victorious, meaning Gen Z councillors will make up roughly four per cent of the civic body.

Congress fielded twice as many young candidates as the BJP, with 12 compared to the latter's six. Among the youngest winners in Jaipur is 21-year-old Congress candidate Faiz Hasan from Ward 71, who defeated 39-year-old Independent Mohammad Salim. BJP's Palak Yadav, also 21, won Ward 10, beating 39-year-old Congress candidate Vandana Jakhar.

Another closely watched contest was in Ward 115, where 29-year-old BJP candidate Suraj Godiwal defeated 67-year-old Congress candidate Suresh Biwal by 1,063 votes. The result highlighted a generational contrast, with Godiwal being 38 years younger than his rival.

Outside the capital, 21-year-old Neha Sharma, a journalist, won from the Thanagazi ward in Alwar district. Sharma said her experience reporting from rural areas motivated her to enter politics and work directly for people. "Kyun na shuruwaat khud se hi ki jaaye? (Why not start with myself)?" she said.

As a journalist, Sharma observed villagers and farmers travelling to Jaipur and waiting for hours to meet politicians or outside government offices to get their grievances addressed. Merely reporting on people's problems was not enough, she felt, prompting her to seek a more direct role in public life.