The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has named Prasan Chand Mehta as its candidate for the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation mayoral election, while the Indian National Congress has fielded Rajendra Solanki for the same post. The nominations were filed on Saturday, 19 September 2026, setting the stage for a closely contested mayoral battle in one of Rajasthan's most significant urban local bodies.

BJP's Candidate and Nomination Process

Prasan Chand Mehta arrived at the Municipal Corporation at around 1:30 pm to file his nomination papers, accompanied by City MLA Atul Bhansali, Sursagar MLA Devendra Joshi, and several BJP office-bearers. Mehta had departed from Balotra at approximately 10:15 am before travelling to Jodhpur for the formality.

Mehta brings a strong organisational pedigree to the contest. He comes from a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) background and has held positions including BJP district president and state vice-president. He is also reportedly close to Assam Governor Gulabchand Kataria. Mehta had earlier won a municipal council seat from Ward 82, defeating Congress candidate Arvind Parihar. His candidature was finalised following internal party consultations, after which BJP Divisional In-charge Bhupendra Saini performed a tilak ceremony.

Sursagar MLA Devendra Joshi expressed confidence in Mehta's organisational credentials, noting that he had served the party for several years. Mehta himself stated that his focus, if elected mayor, would be on civic priorities — sanitation, street lighting, roads, and water supply.

Congress Candidate and Internal Dynamics

The Congress has nominated Rajendra Solanki, described as a close associate of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Notably, Solanki did not contest the recent municipal council election as a councillor, making his candidacy an external one. Before settling on Solanki, the party had collected nomination forms for multiple aspirants, with Solanki himself having earlier said the party would back whoever emerged through consensus.

Congress councillor and mayoral aspirant Naresh Joshi was also present at the Municipal Corporation during the nomination process. In a moment that drew attention, Joshi touched the feet of BJP MLA Devendra Joshi upon encountering him at the venue.

Separately, Congress rebel leader Liyaqat Ali Rangrez rejoined the party ahead of the nomination process. Jodhpur City District Congress President Omkar Verma and former MLA Manisha Panwar were present at the time of his return to the party fold.

The Numbers Game: A Hung House

The Jodhpur Municipal Corporation comprises 100 wards. Following the outcome of the Ward 50 re-poll, the BJP holds 45 councillors while the Congress has 44. The remaining 11 seats are divided among independents and the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP). With the majority mark set at 51, neither party holds a clear majority on its own.

This near-deadlock has made the backing of independent and RLP councillors a decisive factor. Both the BJP and Congress have been actively consolidating support ahead of the vote, with the 11 non-aligned seats effectively holding the balance of power.

Other Nominations and Key Developments

A nomination form was also collected on behalf of the family of Saraswati Prajapat of Ward 51. A family member who collected the form indicated that either Saraswati Prajapat or her father could ultimately file the nomination, adding a further variable to an already fluid contest.

With both major parties locked in a tight race for the Jodhpur mayor's post, the final outcome will hinge on how effectively each side secures commitments from the 11 independent and RLP councillors before polling day.