Jaipur: With BJP expected to mount a strong challenge for control of Jaipur Municipal Corporation, attention has turned to possible contenders for the mayor’s post if the party succeeds in forming the board.BJP’s candidate list includes several politically experienced and organisationally influential leaders, giving the party multiple options for the top civic post. Sources said the Vaishya community appears to have a strong claim, though Brahmin and Rajput leaders could also be considered.Former BJP city president Sunil Kothari and former mayor Jyoti Khandelwal have emerged as front runners, while former deputy mayor Puneet Karnawat and several other experienced members are also contenders.Kothari, contesting from Ward 112, is currently being seen as the strongest nominee. A jeweller by profession, he is a prominent name in Jaipur’s gems and jewellery business and has held several organisational positions, including office in charge, state secretary and state vice-president. “He has been associated with BJP for years and is considered close to former organisational general secretary Chandrashekhar,” a BJP functionary said.His candidature adds political significance to Ward 112, where BJP has replaced sitting mayor Kusum Yadav with Kothari. “If he wins and BJP secures a clear majority, his long organisational experience and understanding of Jaipur’s politics could work strongly in his favour,” a BJP member said.Khandelwal is the other major contender. BJP’s decision to field the former mayor from Ward 110 has added considerable political weight to its candidate list. Khandelwal joined BJP from Congress and had earlier become Jaipur’s first directly elected mayor after defeating BJP’s Suman Sharma. She also contested the Jaipur city Lok Sabha election on a Congress ticket.“Khandelwal, who belongs to the Vaishya community, is a familiar face in Jaipur’s urban politics and has considerable political presence in the walled city and adjoining areas,” a party member said.Her experience of running the corporation could work in her favour if she wins the civic election. Her candidature also gives BJP the option of considering an experienced woman leader for the post.Karnawat, contesting from Ward 76, is another important name in the mayoral equation. He began his political career in student politics and was associated with ABVP before serving in BJP’s youth organisation. His previous tenure as deputy mayor gives him direct experience of the municipal corporation. He is also considered close to chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.BJP has further strengthened its pool of potential contenders by fielding prominent Vaishya leaders, including Vikas Kothari from Ward 116, Vimal Agrawal and Vimal Katiyar. Agrawal’s candidature remained significant despite reported opposition at the local MLA level.“The prominence of several Vaishya leaders has strengthened speculation about the community’s claim to the mayor’s post. However, the final decision is unlikely to rest on social equations alone. The party will have to consider the number of councillors it wins, support among elected members, organisational standing, leadership equations, seniority and the broader political balance in Jaipur,” a senior member said.
