Jaipur Mayor election 2026: BJP fields Sunil Kothari against Congress's Sunita Mahawar on September 25
Synopsis
The Jaipur Mayor race is on: BJP's veteran Sunil Kothari faces Congress's Sunita Mahawar in a September 25 vote of Councillors. BJP enters with a comfortable 78-seat majority in the 150-member corporation, but the Congress is reportedly courting Independents and even claims some BJP Councillors are in contact — claims the party has yet to substantiate.
Key Takeaways
The Jaipur Municipal Corporation Mayoral election is scheduled for 25 September , between 10 am and 2 pm .
BJP has fielded Sunil Kothari (Ward-112), a former Jaipur City BJP President with decades of organisational experience.
Congress has nominated Sunita Mahawar (Ward-118), a long-time party worker associated with the Adarsh Nagar area.
Current corporation tally: BJP 78, Congress 57, Independents 15 — BJP holds a clear majority in the 150-member body.
15 Independent Councillors could still play a swing role, as the Mayor is elected by all Councillors.
Nomination scrutiny is on 21 September ; withdrawal deadline is 22 September .
The race for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation Mayoral post is now formally set, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) naming Sunil Kothari and the Indian National Congress fielding Sunita Mahawar ahead of the September 25 election. The contest, decided by a vote of the 150 elected Councillors, will take place between 10 am and 2 pm if any candidate remains in the race after the withdrawal deadline of 22 September.
The BJP Candidate: Sunil Kothari
Sunil Kothari, a former Jaipur City BJP President with several decades of organisational experience, filed his nomination at the Jaipur Municipal Corporation headquarters on Saturday, accompanied by senior party leaders. He is a newly elected Councillor from Ward-112, having defeated Congress candidate Ashish Sharma by 905 votes, according to reports. His election affidavit reportedly values his movable and immovable assets at approximately ₹35.87 crore. The BJP finalised Kothari's candidature following internal party consultations.
The Congress Candidate: Sunita Mahawar
Sunita Mahawar, a Councillor from Ward-118, is a long-time Congress worker with experience in Jaipur's municipal politics and has previously held responsibilities within the Municipal Corporation. She is associated with the Adarsh Nagar area and is considered close to Congress MLA Rafeek Khan. Her nomination gives the Congress a woman candidate with local governance experience to challenge the BJP's pick.
Party-Wise Tally and the Numbers Game
Following the September 17 repoll results — in which all four wards that went to repoll were won by the Congress, lifting its tally from 53 to 57 — the final party-wise seat count stands at BJP: 78, Congress: 57, Independents: 15. With 78 seats in the 150-member corporation, the BJP holds a clear majority. However, the 15 Independent Councillors are expected to remain politically significant, as the Mayor is elected through a direct vote of all elected Councillors.
Congress Reaches Beyond Its Own Numbers
The Congress has indicated it is actively seeking support beyond its own Councillor group ahead of the vote. Congress MLA Rafeek Khan has publicly claimed that some BJP Councillors are in contact with the Congress, though such claims have not been independently verified. If the claim holds any substance, it could narrow the BJP's effective working margin on election day.
Election Timeline
The Rajasthan State Election Commission has scheduled nominations for 18–19 September, scrutiny for 21 September, and withdrawal deadline for 22 September. The Mayoral vote itself is set for 25 September. With both major parties having confirmed their candidates, the immediate focus shifts to the scrutiny process, withdrawal negotiations, and the race to secure Independent support ahead of the final vote.
Point of View
The BJP's 78-seat hold in a 150-member house makes this election straightforward — but Mayoral votes in urban local bodies have a habit of producing surprises when party whips are tested by personal loyalties and local power dynamics. The Congress's claim that BJP Councillors are in touch with it is unverified, but the fact that it is being stated publicly suggests a deliberate pressure tactic. The more consequential variable is the 15 Independents: with no binding party affiliation, their votes are effectively a miniature auction. The BJP can afford some attrition; the Congress needs a near-perfect sweep of Independents plus a credible floor-crossing to change the outcome — a high bar, but one that local political history in Rajasthan suggests is not impossible.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Jaipur Mayor election 2026?
The Jaipur Municipal Corporation Mayoral election is scheduled for 25 September 2026, with voting between 10 am and 2 pm, provided at least one contest remains after the withdrawal deadline of 22 September.
Who are the candidates for Jaipur Mayor?
The BJP has fielded Sunil Kothari, a former Jaipur City BJP President and Ward-112 Councillor, while the Congress has nominated Sunita Mahawar, a Ward-118 Councillor associated with the Adarsh Nagar area. Both candidates filed nominations on 18–19 September.
Does BJP have a majority in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation?
Yes. Following the September 17 repoll, the final tally stands at BJP 78, Congress 57, and Independents 15 in the 150-member corporation. The BJP holds a clear majority, giving Sunil Kothari a numerical advantage in the Mayoral vote.
What role will Independent Councillors play in the Jaipur Mayor election?
The 15 Independent Councillors could be pivotal, as the Mayor is elected through a direct vote of all 150 elected Councillors. The Congress has indicated it is seeking support beyond its own group, making Independent alignment a key variable.
What is the election schedule for the Jaipur Mayor vote?
Nominations were accepted on 18 and 19 September; scrutiny is on 21 September; the withdrawal deadline is 22 September; and the Mayoral election itself takes place on 25 September, as scheduled by the Rajasthan State Election Commission.
