MunicipalElection – Ritu Tawde Set to Become Mumbai’s New Mayor After 25 Years
MunicipalElection – In a significant shift in Mumbai’s civic politics, the Bharatiya Janata Party has named Ritu Tawde as its choice for mayor, ending a 25-year stretch during which the post was held by the Shiv Sena. The development marks a turning point in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s political landscape after nearly two and a half decades of Sena dominance.
BJP Announces Mayoral Candidate
Ritu Tawde, a corporator representing Ghatkopar, has built her profile within the municipal system over the years. She previously chaired the Education Committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, one of the civic body’s key panels. Her nomination was formally announced by senior BJP leader Amit Satam on Saturday, confirming the party’s intent to claim the top civic post following its performance in the recent elections.
The decision reflects the BJP’s strengthened position in the 227-member corporation, where it emerged as the single largest party. With 89 seats in its tally, the party secured a clear advantage over its rivals and positioned itself at the forefront of the new governing arrangement.
Shiv Sena to Hold Deputy Mayor’s Office
While the mayor’s post is set to go to the BJP, the Shiv Sena will occupy the deputy mayor’s office as part of the ruling alliance arrangement. Sanjay Shankar Ghadi, elected from Ward No. 5 in the January 15 civic polls, has been chosen for the role. His candidacy was declared by Shiv Sena leader Rahul Shewale.
Ghadi will serve as deputy mayor for 15 months. The Shiv Sena has decided to divide the full term among four of its corporators, rotating the position in phases. Ghadi is known for aligning with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during the political realignment within the Shiv Sena in 2022, a shift that ultimately led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state.
Seat Distribution in the 227-Member Corporation
The election results reshaped the power structure within the civic body. The BJP’s 89 seats made it the largest party, while the Shiv Sena secured 29. Together, the ruling alliance commands 118 corporators, comfortably crossing the halfway mark of 114 required to control the corporation and secure the mayor’s position.
The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), which had governed the municipal corporation continuously since 1997, won 65 seats. Its allies also registered modest numbers: the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena obtained six seats and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) secured one.
Among other political parties, the Congress won 24 seats. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen claimed eight seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party faction led by Ajit Pawar secured three. The Samajwadi Party won two seats.
Elections Held After Prolonged Gap
The civic elections were conducted after a gap of nine years, making them one of the most closely observed municipal contests in recent memory. Since March 7, 2022, the corporation had been overseen by a state-appointed administrator following the conclusion of the previous term. The absence of an elected council during this period had drawn attention to the need for a renewed mandate.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, often described as India’s richest civic body, plays a central role in governing the country’s financial capital. For the financial year 2025–26, its budget has been estimated at Rs 74,450 crore, underlining the scale of its administrative and financial responsibilities.
With a new political alignment now in place, the leadership transition signals a fresh chapter in Mumbai’s municipal governance. The coming months are expected to shape how the new administration navigates urban development, infrastructure projects, and essential services in one of India’s most complex metropolitan regions.