Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, May 21: The BJP-led Mahayuti administration in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to complete 100 days in office on Friday, with its initial tenure marked by political controversies, internal tensions and governance challenges.
The elected representatives had returned to the BMC earlier this year after nearly four years of administrative rule. However, the alliance’s first stint in control of India’s richest civic body has witnessed a series of embarrassing setbacks, including disputes involving Mayor Ritu Tawde, cracks within the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, defeat during voting in the civic house and cancellation of tenders worth over Rs 1,100 crore.
BJP corporator Ritu Tawde, representing Ward 132 in Ghatkopar, assumed office as Mumbai Mayor on February 11, ending the undivided Shiv Sena’s nearly three-decade hold over the mayoral post.
Soon after taking charge, Tawde found herself at the centre of several controversies.
The first issue surfaced in February after social media users questioned an expensive luxury watch allegedly worn by the Mayor. Tawde later clarified that the watch was a gift from her children and cost around Rs 15,000 to Rs 16,000.
Another controversy erupted in March when red and blue flasher lights installed on the Mayor’s official vehicles drew criticism from opposition leaders and social media users. Opposition leaders accused the BJP of violating the Centre’s own rules banning VIP beacon culture. Following criticism, the BMC removed the flasher lights and covered the designation plaque on the escort vehicle.
In April, Tawde again faced criticism over remarks made at a Mahavir Jayanti event, where she spoke about recovering from a throat ailment with the blessings of a Jain spiritual figure. Opposition parties accused her of promoting superstition, following which she clarified that her comments were linked to personal faith.
More recently, a proposal to renovate the Mayor’s bungalow at a reported cost of Rs 3 crore also triggered opposition criticism.
Meanwhile, signs of tension within the ruling Mahayuti alliance have become increasingly visible over the past few months.
Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi of the Shiv Sena publicly expressed displeasure after the Mayor reportedly conducted inspections of pre-monsoon works without informing him.
Ghadi stated that while no formal rule existed, it was customary for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to undertake joint civic inspections.
Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Amey Ghole had also objected to an alleged protocol violation after the Deputy Mayor was reportedly seated away from the front row during an official civic event.
The alliance also suffered embarrassment on the floor of the civic house on April 29 after failing to secure enough votes to pass a proposal seeking to hand over a 30,000 square metre BMC-owned plot to a private developer.
The proposal required a three-fourths majority for approval. With several ruling alliance corporators absent during voting, the administration failed to secure the required support as the opposition voted against the motion.
The defeat prompted both BJP and Shiv Sena leadership to issue notices to absent corporators seeking explanations. The proposal was later reintroduced and passed after all ruling alliance members remained present.
The Mahayuti administration also cancelled four civic tenders worth more than Rs 1,100 crore within a month of taking office.
The scrapped projects included a Rs 490 crore expansion plan for Byculla Zoo, a Rs 385 crore contract for installation of footpath railings, a Rs 150 crore road painting project and another Rs 150 crore tender for procurement of stationery for municipal schools.
Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam said the tenders were cancelled because they appeared “inflated in nature”.
The developments over the past 100 days have highlighted both the political challenges and administrative pressures facing the ruling alliance as it attempts to manage Mumbai’s civic administration after years of bureaucratic control.