Jodhpur Deputy Mayor 2026: BJP's Vijay Singh Panwar wins by 4 votes
Synopsis
BJP has swept both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts in Jodhpur Municipal Corporation within two days. Vijay Singh Panwar's four-vote win over veteran Congress councillor Abdul Karim Johnny — secured on the strength of seven independent councillors — confirms BJP's coalition hold over Rajasthan's second-largest city, right in former CM Ashok Gehlot's own constituency.
Key Takeaways
Vijay Singh Panwar (BJP) elected Deputy Mayor of Jodhpur Municipal Corporation on 26 September 2026 , defeating Abdul Karim Johnny (Congress) by four votes ( 52–48 ).
A day earlier, Prasannchand Mehta (BJP) was elected Mayor , giving BJP control of both top civic posts.
BJP won 45 seats in municipal elections, then added support of 7 independents to reach a working strength of 52 in the 101-member House .
Both Mehta and Panwar represent wards in the Sardarpura Assembly constituency — the seat held by former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot .
Defeated candidate Abdul Karim Johnny is a five-time councillor and former Deputy Mayor.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor Vijay Singh Panwar was elected Deputy Mayor of Jodhpur Municipal Corporation on 26 September 2026, defeating Congress candidate and former Deputy Mayor Abdul Karim Johnny by a narrow margin of four votes. The result hands the BJP full control of Jodhpur's civic leadership, just a day after the party's Prasannchand Mehta was elected Mayor.
Election Result and Vote Count
According to official figures, Panwar secured 52 votes against Abdul Karim Johnny's 48 in a 101-member House where the majority mark stands at 51. Voting for the Deputy Mayor's post commenced at 2:30 pm at the municipal office, following councillor verification. The result was declared shortly after counting concluded.
How BJP Crossed the Majority Mark
The BJP had originally won 45 seats in the Jodhpur municipal elections. The party subsequently secured the backing of seven independent councillors, lifting its effective strength to 52 — one above the majority threshold. Congress holds 44 seats, while the remaining members include 10 independents and one Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) councillor.
Who Are the Newly Elected Leaders
Both Mayor Prasannchand Mehta and Deputy Mayor Vijay Singh Panwar are councillors from the Sardarpura Assembly constituency — the same constituency represented by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Mehta was elected from Ward 82, while Panwar represents Ward 98. The political symbolism of the BJP planting its flag in Gehlot's home turf is not lost on observers.
Veteran Opponent's Track Record
The defeated candidate, Abdul Karim Johnny, is no political lightweight. He has been elected councillor for the fifth time and had previously served as Deputy Mayor during the earlier Congress-led board. Congress had re-fielded him in an effort to retain the post, but the BJP's coalition arithmetic ultimately proved decisive.
What This Means for Jodhpur Civic Affairs
With both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts now under BJP control, the party has consolidated its grip on the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation. This comes amid a broader BJP resurgence in Rajasthan following its return to power in the state, and signals the party's intent to translate electoral gains into ground-level governance. The next test will be whether the BJP's coalition of councillors and independents holds together on key civic decisions.
Point of View
Making the symbolism pointed. The real question is durability: BJP's majority rests on seven independent councillors whose loyalty is transactional, not ideological. If the independents peel away on a contentious civic vote, the BJP's grip could prove thinner than the headline numbers suggest.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was elected Deputy Mayor of Jodhpur Municipal Corporation?
BJP councillor Vijay Singh Panwar was elected Deputy Mayor of Jodhpur Municipal Corporation on 26 September 2026, defeating Congress candidate Abdul Karim Johnny by four votes in a 101-member House.
What was the vote count in the Jodhpur Deputy Mayor election?
Vijay Singh Panwar received 52 votes while Abdul Karim Johnny received 48, a difference of four votes. The majority mark in the House is 51.
How did BJP secure a majority in Jodhpur Municipal Corporation?
BJP won 45 seats in the municipal elections and subsequently gained the support of seven independent councillors, taking its effective strength to 52 — just above the majority threshold of 51 in the 101-member House.
Who is Abdul Karim Johnny?
Abdul Karim Johnny is a Congress councillor who has been elected to the municipal body for the fifth time and previously served as Deputy Mayor during the Congress-led board. He was re-fielded by Congress for the Deputy Mayor post but narrowly lost to Panwar.
What is the political significance of BJP controlling both Jodhpur civic posts?
With Prasannchand Mehta as Mayor and Vijay Singh Panwar as Deputy Mayor, the BJP now holds both top posts in Jodhpur Municipal Corporation. Notably, both councillors are from the Sardarpura Assembly constituency represented by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, adding political weight to the BJP's win.
