In a landmark political realignment, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator Ritu Tawde has been elected unopposed as the Mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), marking the first time in over four decades that the prestigious post has gone to the BJP. The election became a one-sided affair after the Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, chose not to field a candidate, conclusively ending the Thackeray family’s quarter-century-long dominance over India’s richest civic body.
The development signifies a profound shift in Mumbai's political landscape. The Shiv Sena, in its various avatars, had controlled the BMC’s mayorality since 1997, wielding immense influence over the city's infrastructure, health, education, and budget exceeding that of several small states. The decision by Shiv Sena (UBT) to abstain from the mayoral contest underscores the altered power equations following the 2022 civic polls and the subsequent split in the Shiv Sena.
A Seasoned Hand at the Helm
The newly elected Mayor, 53-year-old Ritu Tawde, is a three-term corporator from Ghatkopar West, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in grassroots politics, civic administration, and public welfare. Senior BJP leaders describe her as a "hands-on leader" with strong community engagement, who has built a reputation for effectively combining administrative acumen with a close local connection.
Tawde’s civic journey began in 2012 when she was first elected as a corporator from Ward 127. She successfully defended her seat in 2017 from Ward 121 in Ghatkopar and further consolidated her position in the recent elections held on January 15, winning from Ward 132. Beyond her role as a corporator, she has served as the Chairperson of the Education Committee of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, giving her critical insight into one of the BMC’s most significant portfolios.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis extended his congratulations, stating, "Ritu Tawde is an experienced corporator and understands administration well. She will do good work."
The Numbers Behind the Victory
The uncontested election was the culmination of the BJP’s strategic gains in the BMC polls. In the elections to the 227-member civic body, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats. Its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, won 29 seats. Together, the BJP-led 'Mahayuti' alliance commands a combined strength of 118 corporators, providing a comfortable majority to secure the mayor’s post.
The former ruling party, Shiv Sena (UBT), which had held sway over the BMC since 1997, secured 65 seats. Its allies, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar, won 6 and 1 seat(s) respectively, leaving them far short of challenging the ruling alliance.
In a concurrent development, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Ghadi was elected as the Deputy Mayor of the BMC.
A New Era for Mumbai
Tawde’s ascension marks the beginning of a new chapter for the BMC, which manages an annual budget of over ₹50,000 crore. The administration now faces the formidable task of addressing Mumbai’s perennial challenges—from infrastructure projects and flood mitigation to public health and urban sanitation—under a new political leadership. The city will be watching closely to see how the BJP-led administration navigates the complexities of governing the financial capital, setting a precedent for civic governance that breaks with a long-standing political tradition.
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