MumbaiMayor – Ritu Tawde Chosen as Mumbai’s 78th Mayor Unopposed
MumbaiMayor – Ritu Tawde formally assumed office as Mumbai’s new mayor on Wednesday after being elected without opposition during a special session of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Uncontested Election at Civic Headquarters
The decision was finalized at the BMC headquarters, where corporators gathered for the scheduled meeting of the general body. With no rival candidates in the fray, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ritu Tawde secured the post of mayor, while Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Ghadi was elected deputy mayor under similar circumstances.
The proceedings were conducted in the historic Committee Hall of the civic building by Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, who acted as the state-appointed presiding officer. Following the declaration of results, Tawde took charge as the 78th mayor of Mumbai amid applause and slogans from members across party lines.
Presence of State Leadership
The ceremony drew prominent political leaders, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also leads the Shiv Sena faction aligned with the ruling coalition. Both leaders extended their congratulations to the newly elected mayor and deputy mayor, expressing confidence in their leadership at a crucial time for the city’s administration.
The event marked the formal restoration of an elected leadership at the country’s wealthiest municipal corporation after a prolonged administrative phase.
Background of the Newly Elected Leaders
Ritu Tawde represents Ward 132 and emerged victorious in the civic elections held on January 15. Sanjay Ghadi, who will serve as deputy mayor, was elected from Ward 5 in the same polls. Their appointments follow the reconstitution of the 227-member municipal body.
The BMC had been functioning without an elected general body since March 2022. During that period, Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani managed the corporation’s day-to-day affairs. Wednesday’s developments signal a return to a politically led governance structure after nearly two years of administrative oversight.
BJP Secures Historic Return to Mayor’s Office
With Tawde’s appointment, the BJP has reclaimed the mayor’s position in Mumbai after a gap of 44 years. She becomes only the second mayor from the party in the city’s history, marking a significant milestone for the organization in Maharashtra’s civic politics.
In last month’s municipal elections, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, winning 89 seats. Its alliance partner, the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, secured 29 seats. Together, the ruling alliance commands 118 corporators, comfortably crossing the halfway mark of 114 required to control the 227-member civic house.
This numerical strength ensured a smooth and uncontested election to the top posts within the corporation.
Changing Political Landscape in Mumbai
The results also reflect a shift in the city’s political equation. The Shiv Sena (UBT), which governed the civic body for 25 consecutive years starting in 1997, secured 65 seats in the recent elections. Its allies, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena won six seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party faction led by Sharad Pawar managed one seat.
Before the formal proceedings began on Wednesday, corporators from the BJP and Shiv Sena gathered at Hutatma Chowk to offer floral tributes, underscoring the ceremonial importance of the day. They then proceeded to the BMC headquarters for the election session.
With a new mayor and deputy mayor in office, attention now turns to key civic priorities, including infrastructure upgrades, public health services, waste management, and financial planning for the metropolitan region. As Mumbai continues to expand, the leadership at the BMC will play a central role in shaping the city’s administrative and developmental direction.