Jaipur: The city got its new mayor Friday, with BJP councillor from ward 112, Sunil Kothari, defeating Congress candidate Sunita Mawar by 29 votes in the mayoral election. Kothari got 89 votes against Mawar’s 60, while one councillor voted for NOTA. All 150 councillors cast their votes in the election.
Former Mayor Shoumya Gurjar felicitates newly elected Mayor Sunil kothari took charge of his office at JMC HQ in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 25 September 2026. Many BJP leaders including former mayor Shoumya Gurjar, Ashok Parnami, and senior BJP leaders like Kalicharan Saraf, Gopal Sharma, MP Manju Devi, Kailash Verma etc were present during the programme at JMC HQ in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 25 September 2026
Kothari formally took charge as mayor around 5 pm Friday after the result was announced. His election brings an end to the wait for a newly elected political leadership at the Jaipur Municipal Corporation.
Newly elected Mayor Sunil kothari shows victory sign after took charge of his office at JMC HQ in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 25 September 2026. Many BJP leaders including former mayor Shoumya Gurjar, Ashok Parnami, and senior BJP leaders like Kalicharan Saraf, Gopal Sharma, MP Manju Devi, Kailash Verma etc were present during the programme at JMC HQ in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 25 September 2026
Kothari, who has served as Jaipur city BJP president, has also held the posts of party state secretary and state vice-president. Mawar, meanwhile, is the Congress councillor from ward 85.
Newly elected Mayor Sunil kothari show gratitude by folding hands during taking charge of his office at JMC HQ in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 25 September 2026. Many BJP leaders including former mayor Shoumya Gurjar, Ashok Parnami, and senior BJP leaders like Kalicharan Saraf, Gopal Sharma, MP Manju Devi, Kailash Verma etc were present during the programme at JMC HQ in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 25 September 2026
The mayoral election in Jaipur, along with those in Jodhpur and Kota, was held later than in the remaining seven corporations in Rajasthan because of repolling in four wards. Counting in wards 9, 18, 25 and 34 had run into problems during the Sept 14 results, following which repolling was held on Sept 16. As a result, while chairpersons were elected in the other 18 urban local bodies of Jaipur district on Sept 22, the city elected its mayor only Friday.In the 150-member corporation, BJP had won 78 wards, Congress 57 and independents 15 in the civic polls held on Sept 11. Kothari’s 89 votes, therefore, indicate that he received support beyond BJP’s elected strength in the corporation.After his victory, Kothari thanked all 150 councillors and said, “All councillors participated in the mayoral election and I received overwhelming support. I thank all the councillors. The people of Jaipur have given BJP a mandate, and we will work with all 150 councillors to uphold their trust and work for the city’s development and pride.”On allegations by Congress that BJP had misused its power during the mayoral election, Kothari said the ruling party did not misuse its position and that BJP’s majority was a result of the people’s trust.Mawar, meanwhile, said Congress would play an active role as the opposition. “We will bring the sanitation system onto the ground, as it currently exists only on paper,” she said. Mawar also said Congress would raise issues related to parking and fire safety, seek correction of incorrect urban development tax notices and take up matters concerning public interest.GFXJMC MAYOR ELECTIONSunil Kothari — BJP – 89 votesSunita Mawar — Congress – 60 votesNOTA️- 1 voteVictory margin: 29 votesTotal votes: 150
