Mayor’s post goes to BJP after contender ‘persuaded’ to quit race

By: Rajendra Prasad SharmaALWAR: In an unexpected turn of events, BJP’s Anuradha Singh was declared the new mayor of Bharatpur Municipal Corporation Friday after independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination at the last moment. The withdrawal, however, followed earlier allegations from Vichitra’s family that the BJP govt was exerting pressure on her to step down from the mayoral race.Minister of State for Home, Jawahar Singh Bedham, was present at the corporation’s offices during the withdrawal of nomination.His visit there followed a meeting with Vichitra’s husband Shiv Singh Bhont at a city hotel owned by the latter, which is learnt to have involved discussions that led to the eventual withdrawal of nomination.‘Withdrawal of nomination in best interest of Bharatpur’Bhont happens to be a former chairperson of the erstwhile Bharatpur Municipal Council, as well as an ex-mayor.Addressing the media, Bedham portrayed the circumstances surrounding Vichitra’s decision to withdraw as a collaborative…