Ahmedabad: Following the BJP's resounding victory in the 2026 Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections, the focus has now shifted to finalising the city's next mayor. The BJP secured 160 out of 192 seats across 48 wards, marking its fifth consecutive mandate in the civic body. With the general board meeting expected within a week, the party is poised to decide who will occupy the mayor's chair for the next two-and-a-half years.
Mayoral Race Intensifies
This term, the mayoral post has been reserved for a male OBC corporator, narrowing the field but intensifying internal competition. Among the frontrunners are former standing committee chairman Hitesh Barot from Thaltej ward and Dharamshi Desai from Bodakdev ward, who headed the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) from 2021 to 2026. Other names in contention include Jashubhai Thakor of Shahibaug ward, former chairman of the health and solid waste management committee, and Rajesh Thakor of Vejalpur ward, who served as the party whip in the AMC.
Barot is considered a strong contender, having served as chairman of the powerful standing committee between 2021 and 2023. Re-elected from Thaltej, he is seen as an influential leader within the party. Desai, too, is regarded as a key organisational figure. Both leaders represent wards falling within the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, adding a political dimension to the selection process.
Standing Committee Chairmanship in Play
While the mayor's post carries prestige, the standing committee chairman is often regarded as the most powerful office in the AMC, controlling finances and major policy decisions. Lobbying for this position has also intensified. Names being discussed include Jainik Vakil of Paldi ward, a chartered accountant and three-term corporator who earlier chaired the revenue committee; and former standing committee chairman Devang Dani, who won a third consecutive term from Bodakdev. Ketan Patel of Gota, Paresh Patel of Vastral, and Paresh Lakhani of Nikol are also in contention, according to sources.
Traditionally, the BJP balances civic appointments across different city zones. If the mayor is chosen from western Ahmedabad, the standing committee chief is often selected from the eastern side. However, party insiders indicate that both top posts could go to leaders from western Ahmedabad this time, with positions such as deputy mayor, party leader, and whip possibly allotted to candidates from eastern wards.
Other Key Positions
Apart from these posts, chairmanships of committees such as town planning — considered the second most influential civic panel after the standing committee — are also expected to trigger intense lobbying in the coming days. The BJP's organisational machinery is now gearing up for internal negotiations to finalise the distribution of power within the AMC.
