Non-Sena mayor after 25 years; BJP's Ritu Tawde likely to chair BMC

MUMBAI: The BJP has named Ritu Tawde for the post of mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), known as the richest corporation in the country. The voting is on the 11th.

Sanjay Ghadi, from the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, was nominated for the post of deputy mayor. The decision was made to divide the term of the deputy mayor to give an opportunity to the four corporators. The BJP is the single largest party with 89 seats in the 227-member corporation. The Shiv Sena, an ally, has 29 seats. With this, the ruling coalition won a total of 118 seats. There are reports that there were initially differences of opinion within the ruling coalition over the post of mayor, and the Shiv Sena shifted the corporators to a resort to prevent poaching by the Uddhav Thackeray faction.

Ritu joined the BJP in 2012 after leaving the Congress. Ritu's nomination is also a strategic move by the BJP to give the post to an experienced confidant and to highlight the Marathi face. The Mumbai Corporation was in the hands of the Shiv Sena for 25 years.

Ritu, experienced politician

Ritu is a senior BJP leader with long experience in municipal administration.

Won her first municipal election in 2012 from ward 127.

Won her first election from ward 121 in Ghatkopar in 2017.

Won her second election from ward 132 in 2025.

Was the chairman of the education committee of BMC

Vice President of Maharashtra State Mahila Morcha