BJP corporator Ritu Tawde and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Ghadi have been elected unopposed as the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively, of Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Tawde’s appointment as Mayor brings an end to the Thackeray family’s 25-year-long control over India’s wealthiest municipal corporation.
Tawde is a three-term corporator from Ghatkopar West, having deacde of expereince in grassroot politics.
Who is Ritu Tawde?
Ritu Tawde,52, is a two-time corporator from Ghatkopar. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2012 after leaving the Congress. She represents Ward 132 and is regarded as a senior corporator and a prominent, assertive Marathi face of the party.
In her first term, she headed the education committee and served as vice chairperson of the suburban construction committee.
Tawde represents Mumbai’s eastern suburbs, a region the BJP is keen to provide greater representation to.
With the BJP stating that the mayor will be a Marathi-speaking individual, Tawde has emerged as a strong contender for the position.
Tawde, previously served as Chairperson of the BMC’s Education Committee. Known for her grassroots connections, administrative experience, and focus on Mumbai’s eastern suburbs.
If Tawde wins, as current numbers suggest she will become the BJP’s second mayor in Mumbai, following Prabhakar Pai, who held the post from 1982 to 1983.
‘BJP forced to choose Marathi mayor’: Sanjay Raut
On Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that the BJP was compelled to appoint a Marathi mayor in Mumbai due to the strong backing received by his party and the MNS from Marathi voters in the BMC elections.
“The way Marathi people overwhelmingly voted for the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, the BJP had to make a Marathi mayor in Mumbai,” Raut said.
BMC poll results
In the elections to the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party, securing 89 seats. Its ally, Shiv Sena, won 29 seats. Together, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a combined total of 118 corporators, enabling it to comfortably secure the mayoral position.
The Shiv Sena (UBT), which had governed the civic body for 25 years since 1997, secured 65 seats. Its alliance partners, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), won six and one seat, respectively.
The BMC is the country’s wealthiest municipal corporation with Rs 74,427 crore budget for 2025-26 financial year.
