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BJP's Ritu Tawde Poised to End Shiv Sena's 25-Year Grip on Mumbai Mayor Post

The BJP has nominated two-time corporator Ritu Tawde as its candidate for Mumbai Mayor, a move calculated to challenge the Shiv Sena's decades-long control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. If elected, she would become the city's first BJP mayor in over four decades and the first non-Shiv Sena mayor in 25 years. The Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, has named Sanjay Ghadi as its candidate for Deputy Mayor as part of an alliance arrangement. The election on February 11, 2026, will conclude nearly four years of administrative rule at the BMC, with the ruling MahaYuti alliance holding a clear majority.

Key Points: Ritu Tawde: BJP's Mayoral Pick for Mumbai BMC Elections 2026

  • BJP's strategic Marathi-Hindu leadership push
  • First BJP Mayor in Mumbai since 1982
  • Shiv Sena nominates Sanjay Ghadi as Deputy Mayor
  • Election ends 4-year BMC administrator rule
  • MahaYuti alliance holds clear majority
2 min read

Why Ritu Tawde is more than just BJP's Mayoral face in Mumbai

BJP nominates Ritu Tawde for Mumbai Mayor, aiming to break Shiv Sena's long civic dominance. Election set for Feb 11, 2026, after BMC polls.

"Tawde's candidature signals the BJP's intent to assert itself as the principal force in the city's civic and cultural politics."

Mumbai, Feb 7

The BJP's nomination of Ritu Tawde for the mayoral post of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is not just a routine civic decision -- it is a carefully calibrated political move aimed at reshaping Mumbai's power structure.

Coming after decades of Shiv Sena dominance over the BMC, Tawde's candidature signals the BJP's intent to assert itself as the principal force in the city's civic and cultural politics.

Her profile -- Marathi, a two-time corporator, and a woman leader -- fits neatly into the party's broader electoral strategy.

At the same time, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena named Sanjay Ghadi as its candidate for BMC's Deputy Mayor.

The mayoral and deputy mayoral elections will be held on February 11, 2026, with voting by 227 elected corporators scheduled at 11.30 a.m.

Tawde, a two-time corporator from Ward 132 (Ghatkopar East), is a prominent Marathi face of the BJP and has earlier served as Chairperson of the BMC Education Committee.

If elected, she will become Mumbai's first BJP Mayor in over four decades -- since Prabhakar Pai in 1982 -- and the first non-Shiv Sena Mayor in 25 years.

The mayor's post was reserved for a Woman (General category) through a lottery system. By nominating Tawde, the BJP has sought to project a "Marathi - Konkani - Hindu" leadership face for the city.

For the deputy mayor's post, the Shiv Sena has nominated Sanjay Ghadi, a senior corporator from Ward 5 (Dahisar).

Ghadi, who was earlier with the Shiv Sena (UBT), joined the Shinde faction following the party split in 2022. As per the alliance arrangement, Ghadi will serve as Deputy Mayor for 15 months, after which the post will be rotated among four Shiv Sena corporators during the five-year term.

The nomination papers were filed at the BMC headquarters on Saturday, following the civic elections held on January 15.

The MahaYuti alliance holds a clear majority in the civic body, with 118 corporators -- BJP 89 and Shiv Sena 29. In comparison, the opposition comprises Shiv Sena (UBT) with 65 corporators, Congress 24, and others, including MNS and NCP, 20.

The election will formally bring to an end nearly four years of administrative rule at the BMC, which has been governed by a state-appointed administrator since March 2022.

Earlier, the MahaYuti alliance -- comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP -- registered a landslide victory in the January 2026 civic elections held across 29 municipal corporations, significantly reshaping Maharashtra's local political landscape ahead of future state-level contests.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
This is pure political calculation. The BJP is smartly playing the Marathi card to break into Shiv Sena's core vote bank. While Tawde may be a good candidate, let's not forget this is more about power than public service. The real test will be if she can deliver for all Mumbaikars, not just a particular community.
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Sarah B
As someone who has lived in Mumbai for 5 years, I just want a mayor who can fix the infrastructure. The monsoons are a nightmare every year. It doesn't matter which party she's from if she can get the job done. Good to see a woman in this position though!
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Aditya G
The article mentions "Marathi - Konkani - Hindu" face. While representation is important, the mayor of Mumbai should represent the city's incredible diversity - Parsis, Muslims, Christians, North Indians, South Indians... everyone. I hope her leadership is inclusive.
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Karthik V
Ending the administrator's rule is the biggest positive here. BMC needs elected representatives accountable to the people, not bureaucrats. Hope the new mayor and corporators work together beyond party lines for the city's development. Mumbai needs urgent attention!
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Meera T
Being from Ghatkopar, I know Ritu Tai's work. She is very accessible and has done good work in our ward, especially in school infrastructure. If she brings that dedication to the entire city, it will be great for Mumbai. All the best to her! 🙏

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