The names were announced after the mandate arrived at the BJP office. Following this, a general body meeting was held in the corporation hall, where the names of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Standing Committee members were officially declared.

Makwana’s appointment comes after the tenure of outgoing Mayor Pinky Soni, who served as Mayor during the period reserved for a woman leader of the last board.

Geeta Makwana, an SC woman from a middle-class family, joined the BJP barely two years ago as an active worker. Her husband, Umesh Makwana, has been a BJP worker for over three decades. Despite her recent entry into frontline politics, the party leadership entrusted her with the city’s top civic post. Makwana’s rise is being seen as a way of the party in picking a candidate “without any direct connections to factions in the city unit”, senior leaders said.

Before entering electoral politics this year, Makwana, who is a commerce graduate with a law degree, ran a small tin-kiosk near her home in Ward 13, selling chocolates and chips. She has two young children. A senior BJP leader said, “There had been much talk about the education background of the candidates… The party has certainly picked educated leaders to be at the helm of civic affairs. She may not have administrative experience, but Geetaben’s legal education will help her better understand the municipal procedures and governance-related issues…”

Soon after taking charge, Makwana said that the emphasis will be on pre-monsoon preparedness and flood mitigation linked to the Vishwamitri project. “We will pay special attention to ensure that the people of Vadodara do not face any inconvenience during monsoons.”

After his appointment as Mayor, Nehal visited the residence of former Chief Minister of Gujarat the late Vijay Rupani and sought blessings of his wife, Anjaliben. Rupani was killed in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad last year.

Rajkot

In Rajkot, Nehal Shukla was appointed as the Mayor. Shukla, a Brahmin, has been elected from Ward No. 7 of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation. He was elected from the same ward in the last RMC elections also.

Nehal is son of veteran Jan Sangh leader from Rajkot late Chimanbhai Shukla and brother of senior party leader and former councilor Kashyap Shukla. Notably, Nehal’s name had come up as BJP candidate for Ward No. 7 as a last minute change. In the list of candidates for the 72 post of corporators for the RMC declared by the party, his name was not there. However, at the last minute, before filing of the nomination, Shailesh Jani, who was declared BJP candidate, was replaced by Nehal. In fact, Jani had reached the district collector’s office to file his nomination papers when he came to know that he was replaced by Nehal, who eventually filed his nomination papers as the BJP candidate.

After his appointment as Mayor, Nehal visited the residence of former Chief Minister of Gujarat the late Vijay Rupani and sought blessings of his wife, Anjaliben. Rupani was killed in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad last year.

Daxaben Vasani has been appointed as Deputy Mayor of Rajkot and  Paresh Pipaliya the Chairperson of the Standing Committee.

Originally from Saurashtra, Mavani is a Patidar woman leader who has been associated with the party for long.

Surat

In the Surat Municipal Corporation, Mayaben Mavani has been appointed Mayor along with Sudhakar Chaudhary as Deputy Mayor. The post of Standing Committee Chairperson has gone to Rajan Patel. Notably, Rajan was holding the same post in the previous board of the SMC as well. Originally from Saurashtra, Mavani is a Patidar woman leader who has been associated with the party for long.

In Karamsad-Anand, one of the nine newly formed municipal corporations in the state, Deepika Patel became Mayor after a one-sided contest against the Congress. Kamlesh Dabhi was elected Deputy Mayor, while Mayur Suthar was appointed Chairperson of the Standing Committee.

(With inputs from ENS, Ahmedabad)