Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 11: BJP corporator Ritu Tawde and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) corporator Sanjay Ghadi were on Wednesday elected unopposed as mayor and deputy mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), marking the end of nearly four years of administrator-led governance in India’s richest civic body.
The elections were uncontested after the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and other opposition parties chose not to field candidates, enabling a smooth and unanimous selection. The development signals a major political shift in Mumbai’s civic administration.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde congratulated the newly elected leadership, assuring citizens of a transparent and people-oriented administration. They said the MahaYuti alliance would fast-track Mumbai’s development in alignment with the vision associated with Balasaheb Thackeray’s birth centenary year.
Tawde and Ghadi formally took charge in the BMC headquarters, receiving the ceremonial handover from Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani amid applause from corporators.
Expressing satisfaction over the outcome, Fadnavis said the Shiv Sena–BJP MahaYuti’s victory reflected the mandate of Mumbai’s residents for accountable and citizen-focused governance. He described Tawde as a seasoned leader and a strong Marathi voice who has consistently highlighted civic concerns, expressing confidence that her leadership would accelerate the alliance’s development agenda.
Referring to Ghadi as an experienced Shiv Sainik, the chief minister said his administrative exposure would strengthen the functioning of the corporation. He reiterated that the BMC would function in line with the principles envisioned by Balasaheb Thackeray and assured full cooperation from the state government to help the new leadership fulfil the aspirations of Mumbaikars.
With Tawde’s appointment, the BJP has reclaimed the mayor’s post in Mumbai after more than 40 years, bringing an end to the 25-year dominance of the Shiv Sena (UBT) in the civic body. In the recent BMC elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena secured 29 seats, taking the alliance comfortably past the majority mark of 114 in the 227-member House.
In a strategic move, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has decided to rotate the deputy mayor’s five-year tenure among four corporators, with Ghadi set to serve the initial 15 months.
A veteran representative from Ghatkopar’s Ward 132, Tawde previously chaired the BMC Education Committee. Known for her assertive approach to civic matters and advocacy of Marathi identity, she identified monsoon preparedness and urban infrastructure upgrades as immediate priorities during her first address as Mayor.
Calling herself a “sevak” of Mumbai, Tawde pledged to focus on improving roads, strengthening drainage systems, and tackling illegal encroachments.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT) said their decision to stay out of the contest was strategic, acknowledging the MahaYuti’s clear majority while also citing respect for the Marathi identity of the elected candidates.