Jodhpur Mayor Election 2026 Live: Prasann Chand Mehta vs Rajendra Solanki as BJP-Congress Face High-Stakes Battle in Rajasthan - Check Who Is Leading and Who is Trailing, Result Date and Latest Update

Jodhpur Mayor Election: The 100-member Jodhpur Municipal Corporation has become the centre of attention in Rajasthan’s civic politics as councillors gather to decide who will occupy the mayor’s chair. BJP’s Prasann Chand Mehta and Congress’s Rajendra Solanki are contesting the mayoral election on September 25, with the majority mark fixed at 51 votes.

The presence of independent councillors has made the numbers particularly important because the mayor will be elected through a secret ballot.

The election is also being closely watched because Jodhpur is the home turf of former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Both parties have kept their councillors together ahead of voting, while claims about support from independents have added another layer to the contest.

Jodhpur Mayor Election: Voting Begins at 10 AM

Voting for the mayoral posts in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota began at 10 am on Friday and is scheduled to continue until 2 pm. Counting will follow the polling process, with the results expected later in the day. The elections will complete the civic electoral process in the three major municipal corporations.

In Jodhpur, councillors from both BJP and Congress were brought to the municipal corporation amid tight security. The parties had also kept their councillors together before the election to prevent any unexpected movement or cross-voting.

Jodhpur Mayor Election: BJP’s Prasann Chand Mehta vs Congress’ Rajendra Solanki

The BJP has nominated Prasann Chand Mehta, while Congress has fielded Rajendra Solanki. The Returning Officer cleared both nominations after rejecting objections raised by the two parties against each other’s candidates.

Mehta comes from a long association with the BJP organisation and has held several party responsibilities. He won the recent councillor election from Ward 82.

Solanki has been associated with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and has previously held positions including Jodhpur Development Authority and UIT chairman. He did not contest the latest councillor election, but Congress chose him as its mayoral candidate.

Jodhpur Mayor Election: What is the Numbers Game in Jodhpur?

The Jodhpur Municipal Corporation has 100 seats, making 51 the majority mark. BJP initially had 45 councillors, while Congress had 44. The remaining seats went to independents and an RLP councillor, making these members important to the final arithmetic.

The BJP later increased its numbers after independent councillors joined or extended support to the party. Reports have carried different figures regarding the number of independents supporting the BJP, while Congress has also claimed support from independents.

Because the mayoral election uses a secret ballot, the final result depends on how councillors actually vote rather than only on the declared strength of the two parties.

Jodhpur Mayor Election: Mehta Claims Support From Councillors

Ahead of voting, BJP candidate Prasann Chand Mehta expressed confidence about his chances.

He said, “Everyone supports them, and we are going to form the board.”

The BJP has maintained that it has sufficient support to cross the majority mark, while Congress has also been working to secure support from independent councillors.

Jodhpur Mayor Election: Congress Banks on Rajendra Solanki’s Experience

Congress has placed its hopes on Rajendra Solanki, a senior Jodhpur political figure with links to former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Solanki entered politics through the Youth Congress and has previously served as a councillor. He also held the position of Jodhpur Development Authority chairman and received minister of state status during the previous Congress government.

Congress has maintained that it can gather enough support from independents to challenge the BJP’s numbers.

Jodhpur Mayor Election: Gehlot Factor Adds Interest to Jodhpur Contest

The Jodhpur election has attracted additional attention because of Gehlot’s association with the city. The former chief minister has been involved in efforts to keep Congress councillors together ahead of the secret-ballot election.

The New Indian Express reported that Gehlot stayed in touch with Congress councillors and independent members while the party prepared for the mayoral vote.

The BJP has also been monitoring the situation closely, with senior party leaders seeking updates on the numbers before polling.

Jodhpur Mayor Election: BJP and Congress Councillors Share a Moment

The political contest also produced a lighter moment before voting. BJP councillor Kamlesh Purohit, who had himself been in the race for the mayoral nomination, was seen with Congress councillor Pradeep Gang.

Purohit told Gang that despite being a senior figure in Congress, he had not received an opportunity. Gang responded that he too wanted his brother to move forward. The two then hugged each other.

The interaction stood out against the backdrop of an otherwise closely watched contest between the two parties.

Rajasthan Mayor Election: Jaipur and Kota Also Hold Mayor Elections

Jodhpur is not the only major Rajasthan city voting for its mayor on Friday.

In Jaipur, BJP has fielded Sunil Kothari against Congress candidate Sunita Mawar. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation has 150 councillors, and BJP holds 78 seats against Congress’ 57, with 15 independents.

In Kota, BJP’s Anusuiya Goswami is contesting against Congress’ Sunita Suman. The Kota House has 100 wards, with BJP holding 57 seats, Congress 39 and independents four.

Jodhpur Mayor Election: When Will Jodhpur Mayor Result Be Declared?

Polling is scheduled from 10 am to 2 pm. Counting will begin after voting ends, and the new mayor is expected to be known later on Friday.

With the majority mark at 51 and the election taking place through secret ballot, the final result will depend on the votes actually cast by councillors.

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