Ritu Tawde Set to Become Mumbai's First BJP Mayor in 44 Years

Ritu Tawde, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is poised to take on the role of mayor in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone as she becomes the first BJP mayor of the city in 44 years. Tawde's election is anticipated to occur without opposition, following the Shiv Sena's decision to refrain from presenting a challenger.

This decision is notable as it brings an end to the Thackeray family's 25-year control over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), one of the wealthiest civic bodies in India. The formal election for the mayoral position is set for February 11, 2026, which is also the final date for withdrawal of nominations.

Tawde filed her nomination for the mayorship alongside Sanjay Ghadi, who has been nominated as the deputy mayor candidate from the faction of the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. Their nominations were submitted at the municipal secretary’s office in the presence of several prominent leaders, including Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam.

In a recent development, the State Urban Development Department announced that the position of Mumbai mayor would be reserved for a woman from the open category through a draw. Initially, it was expected that the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) would contest the election. However, a meeting at Thackeray's residence resulted in the decision to abstain from nominating a candidate.

Former mayor Kishori Pednekar, a member of the Shiv Sena (UBT), expressed her party's view on the decision, describing it as a victory for the Marathi community. "If the mayor of Mumbai is Marathi manoos, we won’t do anything that amounts to a bad omen. Our victory in the elections was for Marathi manoos," she stated, underscoring their focus on serving the city.

Meanwhile, Ameet Satam, president of the Mumbai BJP, highlighted the significance of Tawde's election after nearly half a century. He stated that the incoming mayor will adhere to the vision set by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, aiming to establish transparent governance and ensure the safety and security of all residents.

In the recent elections for the 227-member BMC council, the BJP secured 89 seats while the Shiv Sena claimed 29 seats, thus giving the BJP-led alliance a commanding majority with a total of 118 seats.

Ritu Tawde previously held a position as a Congress member before she joined the BJP in 2012. Throughout her tenure as a corporator, she has focused on crucial local issues such as infrastructure, education, and public safety.

Sanjay Ghadi, who will take up the deputy mayor role for 15 months, is a Shiv Sena corporator from Ward five, helping to maintain representation in the new municipal leadership arrangement. In response to Tawde’s nomination, Clyde Crasto, spokesperson and secretary for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), expressed concern over the choice of a candidate, labelling it an "insult" to grassroots BJP workers who have contributed significantly to the party's local support.