Mangrol, Rajasthan:
For the first time in Rajasthan, a local body in a small town in Mangrol in Baran district has exercised its right to recall. The results of a vote will decide today whether Ashok Jain, its Municipal Corporation Chairman, who they had elected two years ago, should remain in office or not.
Over 16,000 voters had voted on a no confidence motion against Mr Jain, allegedly over his non-performance.
"If over 50 per cent people vote against Ashok Jain, he will be voted out," said Dara Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mangrol.
"This will spread awareness... public will know about its rights," said Krishna Kumar Soni, a voter.
But Mr Jain, the candidate who now faces a different kind of election, says this is a political conspiracy against him by the Congress and the BJP. He is from the recently constituted Aam Aadmi Party.
"They are targeting people. I had to get a case filed... I went to the court. The bench decided that it will be done again. It is very good that people will use right to recall. With this there will be public awareness," said Mr Jain.
With this election, Rajasthan now joins Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Chhattisgarh - all states which have a right to recall in their local bodies. This interesting political experiment could give a new dimension to Indian democracy.