The History and Present State of Surat City Government

April 4, 2026

The Mayor’s Tenure in Surat Lacks the Stability of a Chief Minister’s

Dilip Patel
Gandhinagar, April 4, 2026
In the 60-year history of the Surat Municipal Corporation, Kashiram Rana and Bardoliwala hold the record for serving as Mayor.
With the elections for the Surat Metropolitan City having already been announced, the history of the city’s Mayors is a subject well worth exploring.
Surat has seen 35 individuals serve as Mayor. However, the Mayor is not held responsible for administrative decisions or for maintaining law and order. In principle, the Mayor *should* be responsible for the city’s law and order, given that the Municipal Corporation is regarded as a form of local government.

According to historical records maintained by the Gandhinagar Urban Development Department, the Surat Municipal Corporation has been in existence for 60 years. On average, the office of the Mayor has changed hands every 1.71 years. Unlike a Chief Minister, the Mayor has not been permitted to serve as a stable, long-term administrator. Historically, the rule stipulated that a Mayor would hold office for a full five-year term. However, when Narendra Modi became Chief Minister, a law was enacted mandating that the Mayor’s seat be vacated every two and a half years. Consequently, this ushered in an era of political instability within the city’s governance. Even during the Congress era, however—prior to this legislative change—the Mayors of that time were often unable to complete even an average tenure of two and a half years due to internal political battles. Thus, the Mayor’s seat in Gujarat proves to be even more unstable than that of the Chief Minister.
Kashiram Rana of the BJP holds the record for serving as Mayor three times, a distinction he shares with Bardoliwala of the Congress party, who also served three terms.
There exists a legal precedent allowing a single individual to serve continuously as Mayor for an extended period. Nevertheless, the actual tenure of most Mayors tends to be roughly the same length.
In Surat,
Over the past several years, it has become a rare occurrence to witness anyone serving continuously as Mayor for two full terms (approximately five years).
No single Mayor stands out as having held the office for an exceptionally long duration, primarily because the very system is designed to facilitate short-term tenures. The Surat Municipal Corporation was established on October 2, 1966. From 1966 to 2023, 16 Mayors from the Congress party and 19 from the BJP were elected. The term of office for a Mayor in Surat is typically two and a half years.
Prominent BJP leaders, including Kashiram Rana and Fakirbhai Chauhan, have also served in this capacity. Representatives from other political parties have also held the office of Mayor on one occasion.
The 1990s were a period marked by significant upheaval.
The centenary of the Surat administration—spanning the years 1852 to 1952—was celebrated.
In 1952, Rander and Adajan were incorporated into the city of Surat.
The final term of the Surat Sudharai (Municipality) concluded in 1952. During this term, Dr. Champaklal Dhiya served as the President of the Sudharai, while Govardhan Das Chokhawala became the last President of the Surat Sudharai. Chokhawala continued to serve as the President of the Surat Sudharai through the years 1956, 1960, and up until 1966. The term of the Sudharai elected in 1965 was originally scheduled to end in 1969; however, in 1966, the Sudharai (Municipality) was upgraded to a Municipal Corporation, and the subsequent elections were held in 1969.

On May 4, 1966, a committee was constituted to oversee the transition of the Sudharai into a Municipal Corporation. The Surat Sudharai adopted the Provincial Municipal Corporations Act of 1949, and the Assembly formally requested the Government of Gujarat to effect this transformation into a Municipal Corporation.

Following the passage of a resolution within the Municipality, the entity was officially converted into a Municipal Corporation effective October 1, 1966; thus, the Surat Sudharai became the Surat Municipal Corporation.

The Congress party had held power within the Surat Sudharai since 1938. In 1956, the *Sudharai* (Municipal Council) comprised 51 seats; it was subsequently elevated to the status of a Corporation, and new areas were incorporated into its jurisdiction. In 1966, the number of seats was increased to 55.

Municipal elections were held in 1967, in which the Congress Party secured a majority; Govardhan Das Chokhawala was elected as the first Mayor, while Captain Mohammed Hussain Golandaz was elected as the Deputy Mayor.

Immediately following the *Sudharai* elections, Assembly elections were held. At that time, Surat had two Assembly constituencies: East and West. Govardhan Das Chokhawala contested from the East constituency and Captain Mohammed Hussain Golandaz from the West; the Congress Party won both seats.

Chokhawala resigned from the post of Mayor upon becoming a Minister in the State Government. He tendered his resignation on March 4, 1967, and was succeeded by the Deputy Mayor—who was also an MLA—Captain Golandaz. During the tenure of Commissioner Musa Raza, a plan was formulated to construct the ‘Hope Bridge.’ Ultimately, the bridge was built in 1967 and was named the Jawaharlal Nehru Bridge. In 1959, the Surat *Sudharai* had prepared a Master Plan covering the ‘Kot’ (fort) area. Subsequently, in 1963, as the city’s geographical limits expanded, the development map was revised and redrawn.

The first municipal board constituted after independence included only two opposition members. Among the public, these individuals were popularly known by the names ‘Laundry’ Bachu and Hira Ghela.

In 1968, the ‘Citizens’ Committee’ secured 17 seats. However, this arrangement did not last long, and fresh elections were held in 1969.

Vaikunth Shastri became the Mayor, while A. Qadir Musa Mir was elected as the Deputy Mayor. Four months later, the ‘Sanstha Congress’ (Organization Congress) faction split away. The Pachigar group remained aligned with the ‘Indira Congress,’ whereas Shambhukhai Patel’s group chose not to leave the Sanstha Congress.

The Sanstha Congress group extended its support to the ‘Nagrik Samiti’ (Citizens’ Committee). With the 17 seats held by the Nagrik Samiti and the 14 seats held by the Sanstha Congress, the two groups collectively formed a majority within the 55-seat municipal assembly. Vaikunthbhai was compelled to resign from the post of Mayor, and the Civic Committee—along with the ‘Sanstha Congress’—assumed the reins of the Municipal Corporation; A. Kadir Musa Mir became the Mayor, while Ramanlal Jariwala became the Deputy Mayor.

Within a mere seven months, the situation shifted once again. A. Kadir Musa Mir served as Mayor only from February 1, 1971, to August 10, 1971, as 14 members rebelled against the Sanstha Congress and defected back to the Indira Congress. Consequently, in November 1971, Vaikunth Shastri once again assumed the office of Mayor.

The power struggle within the Surat Municipal Corporation had reached its zenith. This political turmoil had a direct impact on the development of Surat.

Elections were held in 1972. The Congress Party…

The party appointed Nanalal Gajjar as Mayor. Following his appointment, five members rebelled. Consequently, Nanalal Gajjar was compelled to resign from the mayoral post within five months.

Subsequently, Ramanlal Jariwala became Mayor on February 6, 1973.

By the beginning of 1975, the Congress organization had been completely dismantled. In Surat, parties such as the Congress, Janata Morcha, Jan Sangh, and Janata Parishad continued to exist.

In 1974, the Navnirman Movement began. Stones were pelted at the homes of corporators, and riots erupted in Surat. The impact of the riots, which had flared up across the entire state of Gujarat, spread widely throughout Surat. Corporators resigned from their posts and were also arrested during the course of the movement.

The Government of Gujarat dissolved the Surat Municipal Corporation.

From February 20, 1974, to November 9, 1975, the Surat Municipal Corporation remained under the administration of an Administrator.

During this period, assembly elections were held. As soon as Babubhai Jashbhai Patel’s government assumed power in the state, several Congress corporators defected from the party, and the government subsequently conducted elections in November. In these elections, the Janata Morcha secured 42 seats, while the Indira Congress won 23 seats. On November 10, 1975—after the Janata Morcha had secured a majority—Navin Chandra Bharati became the Mayor.

The Emergency was imposed in 1977. Subsequently, the party leadership changed hands. In 1976, the ‘Syndicate’ faction disintegrated, and Madan Lal Banki became the Mayor. In 1977, Jaswant Singh Chauhan lost to Morarji Desai in the Lok Sabha elections by a margin of ten thousand votes; as a result, Madan Lal Banki resigned, and Navin Chandra Bharati once again assumed the office of Mayor. Navin Chandra Bharati served as Mayor until February 10, 1981.

A new legislative act was enacted in 1976. The city’s population had grown, reaching approximately 1.2 million (12 lakhs). Consequently, the number of seats was increased to 65.

Elections were held in 1980. The Congress secured 35 seats, while the Janata Morcha won 30 seats. Madanlal Banki served as Mayor from February 11, 1981, to September 19, 1981. In 1981, due to significant turmoil and growing internal dissent within the Congress party, Madanlal Banki was compelled to resign from the post of Mayor.

During this period, Chiman Patel, Mohan Lakdawala, Swarup Chand, Meghji Solanki, and Amrut Contractor switched their political allegiance. The Jan Sangh was, at that time, still distinct from the Janata Party. Lending their support to the corporators who had defected from the Congress, the 24-member Jan Sangh faction backed Chiman Patel; consequently, Mohan Lakdawala became the Mayor, and Chiman Patel became the Deputy Mayor. However, within a mere four months, the Congress party successfully brought the rebel members back into its fold, and Nagindas Bardolia became the Mayor. Nagindas Bardolia could serve as Mayor for only one year before the political alignment shifted once again. For the first time—and with the support of the defectors—Kashiram Rana of the Jan Sangh became the Mayor.

Kashiram Rana’s tenure as Mayor lasted for only four months. Following yet another political realignment, Nagindas Bardolia once again assumed the office of Mayor, serving for a period of three months. Subsequently, in 1981, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was formed.

In 1984, the anti-reservation agitation took place. Madhavsinh Solanki was forced to resign, and Amarsinh Chaudhary became the Chief Minister.

In 1984, Udhna and Limbayat were incorporated into the Surat urban area. Consequently, nine new corporator seats were created.

Elections were held in 1987. No single party secured an absolute majority. Due to the expansion of the municipal area, the total number of seats rose to 97. As no party attained a majority on its own, the Congress party secured the support of six members belonging to the ‘Indira Front.’ The Congress held 45 seats, while the BJP held 35. Dr. George Solanki became the new Mayor; he served in this capacity from 1985 to 1987.

In 1987, the six members of the ‘Indiravadi Morcha’ (Indira Front) withdrew their support from the Congress and extended it to the BJP instead. BJP’s Kashiram Rana became the Mayor of Surat for the third time—though, much like his previous stints, it was only for a brief period.

Three months later, the ‘Indiravadi Morcha’ (Indira Loyalist Front) once again extended its support to the Congress party, and Kadir Pirzada served as Mayor for a mere four months. Kadir Pirzada was compelled to resign, and Pratap Kanthariya subsequently became the Mayor. Pratap Kanthariya held the mayoral office for one year until, quite suddenly, Ajit Desai—who was serving as the Deputy Mayor—staged a major rebellion against the Congress party. He rebelled alongside 17 other members and, with the support of the BJP, became the Mayor. Ajit Desai served as Mayor from 1990 to 1993 and laid a strong foundation for the BJP in Surat. Subsequently, all the rebel members—including Ajit Desai—defected to the BJP. Ajit Desai once approved 55 projects simultaneously in a single minute; this action sparked a massive controversy.

In 1990, a fire broke out at the Mukesh Mill. The tragedy claimed the lives of 24 personnel from the Surat Municipal Corporation, along with a press photographer.

In 1992, riots erupted in the wake of the demolition of the Babri Masjid. Surat was the city most severely affected by the unrest. ‘Administrator’s Rule’ was subsequently imposed on the city. Kundan Lal and P.K. Ghosh served as the Administrators during this period. In the 1995 municipal elections, the BJP swept 98 out of the 99 seats contested.
The sole independent corporator elected was Prakash Desai.

From 1995 onwards, the Congress party faced a complete political eclipse—a state of affairs that persisted until 2026.

In 2021, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged as the principal opposition party in Surat.
Pratap Kanthariya was serving as the President of the Surat Congress when the nomination forms of 29 Congress candidates were rejected. It appeared as though the rejection of nomination forms had become a recurring tradition for the Congress party.

List of Municipal Mayors:
1. G.R. Chokhawala ………………. 1-10-66 to 4-3-67
2. Captain M.A. Goldz………… 12-4-67 to 8-7-69
3. Vaikunthbhai Shastri…….. 9-7-69 to 19-1-71
4. Abdul Qadir Musa Mir………………1-2-71 to 10-9-71
5. Vaikunthbhai Shastri…… 11-9-71 to 7-7-72
6. Nanalal Gajjar………………8-7-72 to 20-1-73
7. Ramanlal Jariwala……………….. 6-2-73 to 19-2-74
8. Navin Chandra Bharatiya………… 10-11-75 to 9-12-76
9. Madanlal Banki……… 10-12-76 to 8-4-77
10. Navin Chandra Bharatiya……………. 20-4-77 to 10-2-81
11. Madanlal Bunki………………1-2-81 to 19-9-81
12. Chimanlal V. Patel……….. 30-10-81 to 10-2-82
13. Nagindas Bardoliwala…… 11-2-82 to 21-1-83
14. Swarup Chandra Jariwala………….. 10-2-83 to 20-6-83
16 Nagindas Bardoliwala………. 2-11-83 to 7-2-84
17. Kashiram Rana……. ….. 7-2-84 to 3-12-84
18. Nagindas Bardoliwala

…wala…… 11-4-85 to 10-2-87
19. Dr. George Solanki………………. 11-2-87 to 30-1-88
20. Kashiram Rana ………………. 5-8-88 to 8-2-89
21. Qadir Pirzada ………………. 9-2-88 to 29-6-88
22. Pratap Kanthariya ………………. 8-2-89 to

8-2-90
23. Ajit Desai………………….. 8-2-90 to 31-10-93
24. Fakirbhai Chauhan………………1-7-95 to 1-7-96……
25. Gitaben Desai………………1-7-96 to 30-7-97
26. Navneet Jariwala…………….. 30-7-97 to 28-7-98
27. Savitaben Sharda……………. ….. 28-7-98 to 7-7-99
28. Bhikhubhai Bodhra…… 7-7-99 to 2000
29. Ajay Choksi 2000 BJP
30. Snehlata Chauhan 2003 BJP
31. Dr. Kanu Mavani 2005 BJP
32. Ranjit Gilitwala 2008 BJP
33. Rajendra Desai 2010 BJP
34. Niranjan Jhanjmera 2013 BJP
35. Asmita Siroya 2015 BJP
36. Dr. Jagdish Patel 2018 BJP
37. Hemali Boghawala 2021 BJP
38. Dakshhesh Mavani 2023 BJP

Surat is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. The city’s administration operates on a budget of ₹11,301 crore. One week prior to the elections, a trial run of the metro train was launched in Surat in an effort to woo voters.

For the Surat Municipal Corporation elections, there are 120 seats distributed across 30 wards. Ten years ago, the elections featured 435 candidates vying for 115 seats.

Numerous candidates—ranging from number 1 to 12—were observed at the BJP office. In a ward located within an area considered a BJP stronghold, there are approximately 160 candidates.

Conversely, in areas predominantly inhabited by people originally hailing from the Saurashtra region, only 35 to 40 candidates were observed in a single ward. Among these were former councilors belonging to the faction of defectors from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Areas such as the Rander-Athwa zone—which are considered the safest territories for the BJP—have witnessed a higher number of candidates.

**Dharmik Malaviya**
In this context, Dharmik Malaviya—a leader who defected from the Aam Aadmi Party—sought a BJP ticket for the Olpad seat. He aimed to contest the election from Ward No. 02, which encompasses the Amroli, Varachha, and Khattar localities; notably, he had previously stood as the AAP candidate for the Olpad Assembly seat during the state legislative elections. His wife, Mona Hirpara, had previously been elected as a councilor representing the AAP in the Surat Municipal Corporation elections.

**Discrepancy of 800,000 Voters**
Following the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of voter lists, the number of voters within the Surat Municipal Corporation limits has decreased by 800,000 compared to the 2021 elections. The 30 wards collectively now account for 2.477 million voters.

**Assembly Seats**
According to the revised voter list, the total number of voters across the 16 Assembly constituencies in the Surat district has dropped by 1.319 million. Prior to the SSR, this figure stood at 4.873 million; it has now declined to 3.553 million. The most significant reduction—amounting to 200,000 voters—was recorded in the Choryasi constituency, while the lowest reduction—totaling 21,827 voters—was observed in the Mandvi constituency. Following the publication of the draft voter list, the total electorate decreased by 69,257 voters.
Overall, there has been a 26 percent decline in the number of voters. Previously, the total number of voters across the 16 seats in Surat district stood at 4,873,512; however, in the new final list, this figure has dropped to 3,639,042. This signifies a net reduction of 1,234,470 voters.
In the Choryasi Assembly constituency, the voter count declined from a previous figure of 613,270 to 429,699—marking a decrease of 183,571 voters. Choryasi remains the largest Assembly constituency in the state.
Among the urban constituencies, the Karanj seat has become the smallest. Previously, Karanj had 162,435 voters, a number that has now fallen to 101,335. Consequently, there has been a reduction of 61,100 voters in this constituency.

2026
On February 17, 2026, the final voter list for the 16 Assembly constituencies in Surat district saw the removal of 85,743 names, while 101,578 new voters were added. The total number of voters increased by 15,849.
The Election Officer and District Collector for this period was Dr. Saurabh Pardhi.
Out of the total 3,639,042 voters, 21,954 were in the 18–19 age group, and 13,105 were aged between 20 and 29. The list also includes voters who have recently attained the age of 18.

Poster War
Anti-BJP posters were put up on bridge pillars, enclosures, vehicles, and walls in several areas of Surat, including Punagam, Katargam, Dindoli, Pandesara, and Utran.

These slogans included: “Are you tired of the BJP?”, “Cut down the BJP’s election symbol—the Lotus,” “Tired of expensive education now?”, and “Tired of inflation now?”

Crime
BJP leaders had lodged five complaints with the police against AAP leaders. These complaints were filed regarding the display of posters and banners criticizing the ruling party on issues such as corruption, alcohol/drugs, and education. In connection with this matter, cases were registered against AAP leaders Kirit Pansuriya, Devsinh Dobariya, Vishal Chavda, and others. Jagdish Gohil of Katargam filed a complaint against Vishal Bhikha Chavda, Devashi Popat Dhebaria, and Chirag Navadia—all from Punagam—as well as one unidentified individual, for pasting posters on the wall of the Rashi Circle at Dabholi Crossroads, at Lalita Chokdi, and at the Talwadi Patidar Community farm in Katargam.
Former local corporator Sharad Patil filed a complaint against five unidentified individuals for pasting posters at the Pandesara Journalist Circle and on the municipal corporation’s public toilets.
Shamlal Yadav filed a complaint against an unidentified individual for pasting posters in Dindoli. Cases have been registered at the Utran Police Station against these unidentified individuals involved in pasting such posters.

2021
The BJP won 93 seats, while the AAP won 27 seats.
In 2021, the Aam Aadmi Party made a strong showing in Surat within the landscape of Gujarat politics. A total of 27 corporators were elected. From six specific wards, four candidates each were elected, securing 24 seats. In five of these wards, the party defeated the BJP to sweep the entire panel, while the BJP managed to secure the panel in only two wards.

…divided into Ward No. 5 (Phulpada-Ashwini Kumar), Ward No. 17 (Pune East), Ward No. 2
Ward No. 16, Ward No. 4, Ward No. 8, and Ward No. 7 were won.
P

Patil’s Stronghold
In Surat—the hometown of BJP State President C.R. Patil—the party won two wards, Ward No. 16 and Ward No. 4, in the municipal corporation elections. They secured 1 seat in Ward No. 8. They won four seats each in Ward No. 16 and Ward No. 4.

2016
In Surat, there were 435 candidates contesting for 116 seats across 29 wards.
The Pandesara-Bhestan area saw the highest number of candidates, with 27, while Ward No. 13 had the fewest, with 9 candidates.
On the final day for the withdrawal of nominations, 23 candidates across 14 wards withdrew their names.
For one seat, a female BJP candidate was elected unopposed.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Party—which gained political prominence following the Patidar reservation movement—fielded 12 candidates across 5 wards in Surat. They had candidates in Ward Nos. 15 (Pune), 16 (Pune West), 3, and 5.
NCP’s 26 Candidates
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had filed nomination papers. However, in 16 of the forms, the candidates themselves had signed in the spaces designated for the proposer and seconder. Consequently, the NCP was left with 10 candidates.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) fielded 35 candidates across 16 wards.
The Bharatiya Bahujan Congress and the Bahujan Mukti Party fielded 4 candidates.
The Bahujan Mukti Party had 2 candidates in Ward No. 23 and 1 candidate in Ward No. 17.
The New Youth Government Party fielded 4 candidates across three wards.
The Janata Dal (U) had 7 candidates.
The Navin Bharat Nirman Manch had 9 candidates.
The Navin Bharat Nirman Manch fielded 9 candidates across 4 wards.
The Communist Party’s… There were two candidates. The Communist Party (Marxist) had one candidate each in Ward Numbers 18 and 22. The SVP had 12 candidates in the fray. (Google Translate from Gujarati)

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