The recent Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation elections have delivered a split verdict for prominent leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). While some heavyweights extended their winning streaks, others faced unexpected defeats. Key wards saw close contests and surprising outcomes. Party loyalties and local factors played a major role. The results underline a changing political dynamic.
Top 5 Heavyweight Winners
Hitesh Barot
Among the winners, BJP's Hitesh Barot retained his Thaltej seat, marking his second straight victory. Having served as a standing committee chairman from 2021 to 2023, Barot is now being seen as a strong contender in the race for mayor. He is widely regarded as a close associate of Union home minister and Gandhinagar MP Amit Shah.
Devang Dani
Another key BJP leader, Devang Dani, secured his third consecutive win from Bodakdev ward. First elected in 2015, he has now won in 2021 and again in 2026. Dani has previously served as chairman of both the town planning committee and the standing committee, and is once again being considered for a key post. He is associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and is considered a trusted ally of chief minister Bhupendra Patel.
Jainik Vakil
One of the biggest surprises came from Paldi ward, where Jainik Vakil won on a BJP ticket after being fielded at the last moment. Initially, Ashish Shah was declared the candidate, but Vakil replaced him on the final day of nominations. Having also won in 2021, Vakil has now secured back-to-back victories. He has previously served as the chairman of the revenue committee, and is being viewed as a potential contender for the standing committee chairman's role.
Shehzad Khan Pathan
From Danilimda ward, Congress leader Shehzad Khan Pathan continued his winning streak, securing victory for the fourth time. First elected in 2010, Pathan went on to win elections in 2015, 2021, and 2026. He served as the leader of opposition in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for four years during the previous term. Despite a drop in voter numbers in the ward due to factors such as the Chandola lake demolition and SIR-related changes, he retained his seat on the strength of local support.
Mustak Khadiwala
In Jamalpur ward, Mustak Khadiwala made a successful return to Congress. Initially elected as a Congress councillor in 2010, he left the party in 2015 and later won as an AIMIM candidate in 2021. Ahead of the 2026 elections, he rejoined Congress and contested from Jamalpur, winning his third term as a councillor. Khadiwala is considered an influential leader within the Muslim Chhipa community in the area.
Top 5 Heavyweight Losers
Rajshree Kesari
Congress leader Rajshree Kesari, who was the only councillor to win two consecutive terms from Chandkheda ward, lost this time. Kesari had first contested from the ward in 2010 and lost, before going on to win in 2015 and 2021.
Pareshkumar Anand
In Khadia ward, BJP candidate Pareshkumar Anand, son of former mayor Lalji Parmar (1997-1998), failed to win on his electoral debut. The loss is notable as Khadia is traditionally considered a BJP stronghold.
Nikulsinh Tomar
Another setback for Congress came in Kubernagar ward where Nikulsinh Tomar was unable to defend his seat. Known as a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, Tomar fought on a Congress ticket in 2021 and won. The ward drew attention this time, following a clash between Congress and BJP workers at a polling station, which led to a police complaint being filed against Tomar.
Kalu Bharwad
Independent candidate Kalu Bharwad, who had carved out a strong presence in Lambha ward, also lost. He was a Congress leader but contested as an independent after being denied a ticket in 2010. He lost in 2015, and returned with a win in 2021. He was the first to become an AMC councillor twice as an independent candidate. This time, however, he was unable to retain the seat. During the campaign, a video allegedly showing him distributing money to voters went viral on social media.
Iqbal Sheikh
Perhaps the most significant upset came in Gomtipur ward where Iqbal Sheikh, a five-term councillor, lost after switching parties. Sheikh first won as an independent in 2000, later joined Congress, and went on to win in 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2021, completing 25 years as a councillor. Ahead of the 2026 elections, he left Congress and contested as an AIMIM candidate but was defeated.
