Jaipur Mayoral Election
BJP and Congress finalize their mayoral candidates for upcoming Jaipur municipal elections.
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Key Points
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The Jaipur Municipal Corporation has 150 wards; results have been declared for 146, with the BJP winning 78, Congress 53 and independents 15.
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If the contest remains contested after withdrawals, voting on September 25 will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the corporation’s elected councillors.
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BJP councillors were asked to submit three preferred candidates before the party selected Kothari; Puneet Karnawat and Subhash Singhi were also among the names considered, with community representation and organisational experience part of the deliberations.
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Kothari defeated Congress candidate Ashish Sharma by 905 votes in Ward 112, and his election affidavit reportedly lists movable and immovable assets worth about Rs 35.87 crore.
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Congress MLA Rafeek Khan claimed that some BJP councillors were in contact with Congress, while Congress indicated it was seeking backing beyond its own councillor group; the claim was not independently verified in the report.
The BJP and Congress have officially named their candidates for Jaipur's mayoral race, with voting set for September 25, 2026. Asianet News reported that BJP selected Sunil Kothari, a former city party president and Ward 112 councillor, while Congress chose Sunita Mawar to lead the 150-ward corporation. Kothari's selection came after internal party consultations considered three leading candidates, though BJP leaders denied reports of internal dissent.
BJP Builds Edge With Ward Majority
The BJP enters the mayoral contest with a significant structural advantage. With 146 of 150 ward results declared, the party won 78 seats compared to Congress's 53 and independents' 15 sources. This majority gives BJP councillors leverage in the mayoral vote, where only elected representatives cast ballots on September 25 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sunil Kothari Chosen After Party Deliberations
Sunil Kothari emerged as the BJP's choice after party members submitted preferred candidates and leaders weighed factors like community representation and organizational experience. ANI reported that Puneet Karnawat and Subhash Singhi were also considered. Kothari, who won Ward 112 by defeating Congress candidate Ashish Sharma with 905 votes, listed movable and immovable assets worth roughly Rs 35.87 crore in his election affidavit.
Congress Seeks Allies Beyond Own Councillors
Congress named Sunita Mawar as its mayoral candidate, signaling a campaign focused on civic basics. Mawar has emphasized priorities like street cleanliness, garbage collection, stray cattle control, and better municipal services. Congress MLA Rafeek Khan claimed some BJP councillors were quietly talking to Congress, though The Hindu did not independently verify this claim. The party is actively seeking support beyond its 53 councillors.
Nomination Process and Timeline Remain on Track
Kothari and Mawar filed their nominations as scheduled, with scrutiny of documents set for September 21 and candidate withdrawals allowed through September 22. If the race remains contested after withdrawals, polling proceeds September 25. The voting process involves only the 146 elected corporation councillors, making ward-level arithmetic critical to the final outcome.
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