BJP names Sunil Kothari as Jaipur mayoral candidate after CMR consultations
Synopsis
After a closely watched internal selection involving hotel relocations, preference ballots, and community-representation debates, BJP has picked Sunil Kothari — Ward 112 councillor and former Jaipur city president — as its mayoral candidate, edging out outgoing Deputy Mayor Puneet Karnawat and Ward 98's Subhash Singhi.
Key Takeaways
BJP has named Sunil Kothari (Ward 112) as its mayoral candidate for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation election.
The candidature was finalised after consultations at the Chief Minister's Residence (CMR) on 19 September 2026 .
Other names considered included outgoing Deputy Mayor Puneet Karnawat (Ward 76) and Subhash Singhi (Ward 98).
Community representation — particularly a Vaishya community candidate — was a key factor in the selection deliberations.
Congress has put Sunita Mawar (Ward 118) and Bharat Meghwal (Ward 84) on standby to file nomination papers.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has named Sunil Kothari, councillor from Ward 112, as its candidate for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation mayoral election. His candidature was finalised on 19 September 2026 following high-level consultations at the Chief Minister's Residence (CMR) in Jaipur.
How the Selection Unfolded
The process began when BJP councillors were asked to submit their top three mayoral preferences. Later the same evening, the councillors were relocated to The Surya Golden Palace hotel in Pushkar as the internal deliberations continued. Following the finalisation of his name, Kothari was brought back to Jaipur from the group.
Among the names discussed internally were Kothari, Puneet Karnawat — the outgoing deputy mayor representing Ward 76 — and Subhash Singhi, who won from Ward 98. Reportedly, some city MLAs were backing Singhi, while Karnawat's candidature was also under active consideration before the party settled on Kothari.
Profile of the Chosen Candidate
Kothari is no stranger to BJP's organisational structure in Rajasthan. He has previously served as the BJP's Jaipur city president and has held multiple organisational responsibilities within the party. His Ward 112 councillorship adds a direct electoral mandate to his profile, making him a candidate with both administrative and grassroots experience.
Community Representation Factored In
The selection process reportedly involved deliberations over community representation. Party leaders and councillors weighed factors including seniority, organisational experience, and the views of elected representatives. There was internal discussion about fielding a candidate from the Vaishya community for Jaipur, and Kothari is said to have emerged as a prominent contender during these discussions.
Notably, with the BJP having selected a Jain community candidate in Udaipur, and both contenders in Jodhpur reportedly also belonging to the Jain community, there was added pressure within the party to choose a candidate from a different community for Jaipur — a factor that is believed to have influenced the final decision.
Congress Puts Its Candidates on Standby
Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress (Congress) has asked Sunita Mawar, councillor from Ward 118, and Bharat Meghwal, councillor from Ward 84, to remain prepared to file their nomination papers. The party is yet to formally announce its mayoral candidate for Jaipur.
With nominations now set to be filed, the contest for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation mayoralty is shaping up as a closely watched political moment in Rajasthan.
Point of View
Community arithmetic, and organisational loyalty — all compressed into a single-night hotel caucus. Kothari's selection over the outgoing Deputy Mayor signals that the CMR-level leadership retains a firm grip on local body nominations, leaving little room for councillor-driven outcomes. The community-representation debate — with Jain candidates already fielded in Udaipur and Jodhpur — also highlights how the BJP calibrates caste and community calculus even in municipal contests, a pattern that will bear watching as more Rajasthan civic elections approach.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is BJP's mayoral candidate for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation election?
BJP has named Sunil Kothari, the Ward 112 councillor and former Jaipur city president, as its mayoral candidate. His selection was finalised after consultations at the Chief Minister's Residence on 19 September 2026.
How did BJP finalise its Jaipur mayoral candidate?
BJP councillors were asked to submit three preferences each. The councillors were then moved to The Surya Golden Palace hotel in Pushkar while deliberations continued at the leadership level, with the final call made at the Chief Minister's Residence.
Who else was considered for the BJP Jaipur mayor ticket?
The shortlist included Puneet Karnawat, the outgoing deputy mayor from Ward 76, and Subhash Singhi, who won from Ward 98. Some city MLAs were reportedly backing Singhi before Kothari was finalised.
What is Congress's position on the Jaipur mayoral election?
Congress has asked two councillors — Sunita Mawar (Ward 118) and Bharat Meghwal (Ward 84) — to remain ready to file nomination papers. The party has not yet formally announced its candidate.
Did community representation influence BJP's Jaipur mayoral pick?
Yes, reportedly. Internal discussions included a preference for a Vaishya community candidate in Jaipur. This was partly influenced by the fact that BJP had already fielded a Jain community candidate in Udaipur and both Jodhpur contenders reportedly belong to the Jain community.
