Ritu Tawde Elected Mumbai Mayor, Ending Long Thackeray Family Rule

Ritu Tawde from the BJP has been elected as the new Mayor of Mumbai. This is a big change as it ends 25 years where leaders from the Thackeray family held the job. Sanjay Ghadi from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) is the new Deputy Mayor. The election had no other candidates.
By Newsroom | Politics, Mumbai |

Mumbai, India – Ritu Tawde, a corporator from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been elected unopposed as the Mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This outcome marks a significant political shift, concluding a 25-year period where the Mayor's office was held by leaders from the Thackeray family, who were previously associated with the Shiv Sena. The election, which saw no opposition candidate challenge Tawde, also signifies the return of the BJP to the Mayor's post after a hiatus of 44 years. Sanjay Ghadi, a corporator from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, has been elected unopposed as the Deputy Mayor.

Background and Timeline of Events

The mayoral election process began with nominations filed by the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The alliance secured a commanding position in the BMC following the elections on January 16, with the BJP winning 89 seats and the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena securing 29 seats, giving them a total of 118 seats in the 227-member corporation.

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BJP Corporator Ritu Tawde elected unopposed as BMC Mayor, ending Thackeray family`s 25-year dominance over richest civic body - 1

  • January 16, 2024: BMC elections are held, with the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance emerging as the largest bloc.

  • February 7, 2024: Ritu Tawde and Sanjay Ghadi file their nominations for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts, respectively. Key leaders from the Mahayuti alliance, including Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and BJP Mumbai unit chief Ameet Satam, were present.

  • February 11, 2024: The last day for withdrawal of nominations. The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, decides not to field a candidate, paving the way for an unopposed election.

  • Current Date (as per reports): Ritu Tawde is declared elected unopposed as Mayor, and Sanjay Ghadi as Deputy Mayor.

Key Figures and Alliances

  • Ritu Tawde (BJP): The newly elected Mayor of Mumbai. A three-term corporator from Ghatkopar West, she brings over a decade of experience in civic administration and public welfare, having previously served as the Chairperson of the BMC's Education Committee.

  • Sanjay Ghadi (Shiv Sena - Eknath Shinde faction): The newly elected Deputy Mayor. He is a corporator from Ward number 5 and had previously been associated with the Shiv Sena (UBT) before joining the Eknath Shinde-led faction.

  • Mahayuti Alliance: This ruling alliance in Maharashtra, comprising the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, secured the majority needed to control the BMC.

  • Shiv Sena (UBT): Led by Uddhav Thackeray, this faction chose not to contest the mayoral election, a decision that led to the unopposed victory of the Mahayuti candidates.

The End of an Era and Return of the BJP

Ritu Tawde's election as Mayor brings to a close the 25-year dominance of the Thackeray family and the Shiv Sena over India's wealthiest municipal body. The BJP's return to the Mayor's office after 44 years is seen as a significant achievement for the party, which has strategically focused on expanding its influence in Mumbai's civic governance.

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BJP Corporator Ritu Tawde elected unopposed as BMC Mayor, ending Thackeray family`s 25-year dominance over richest civic body - 2

  • BJP's First Mayor in Four Decades: Ritu Tawde is the first BJP mayor in Mumbai in 44 years, with Ameet Satam, the BJP's Mumbai president, highlighting this historical return.

  • Symbolic Victory: Leaders like Ameet Satam have framed Tawde's election as a symbol of a corruption-free administration and a new chapter for Mumbai's civic governance.

  • Thackeray Family's Control: The Shiv Sena (UBT) had held the Mayor's post for 25 consecutive years, a period that began with the family's significant influence in Mumbai's politics.

Contested Narratives and Political Commentary

While the election concluded without a contest, political reactions and interpretations have emerged.

BJP Corporator Ritu Tawde elected unopposed as BMC Mayor, ending Thackeray family`s 25-year dominance over richest civic body - 3

  • Shiv Sena (UBT) Perspective: Sanjay Raut, a leader from the Shiv Sena (UBT), claimed that the BJP was compelled to select a Marathi Mayor due to the substantial support his party and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) command among Marathi voters in the BMC polls. Raut also suggested that Ritu Tawde's origins were with the Congress party.

  • Mahayuti Alliance's Stance: Leaders from the ruling alliance have celebrated the victory as a consolidation of their power and a mandate for development-focused governance. The allocation of the Deputy Mayor's post to the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) is viewed as part of a coordinated governance strategy between the alliance partners.

The Mayor's Role and Powers

Despite the significant political development, the office of the Mumbai Mayor is largely considered ceremonial. Reports indicate that the actual administrative powers within the BMC are concentrated in the hands of the Municipal Commissioner. This arrangement has persisted for a long time, even with various reform efforts.

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BJP Corporator Ritu Tawde elected unopposed as BMC Mayor, ending Thackeray family`s 25-year dominance over richest civic body - 4

  • Ceremonial Head: The Mayor serves as the civic body's titular head, representing the city.

  • Concentration of Power: Executive authority largely rests with the Municipal Commissioner, an appointed official.

  • Historical Context: This ceremonial nature of the Mayor's office has been a feature for nearly 150 years, distinguishing Mumbai from civic bodies in some other Indian states.

Conclusion and Future Implications

The election of Ritu Tawde as Mumbai's Mayor represents a significant turning point in the city's civic administration. The BJP's return to this key position after four decades, coupled with the end of the Thackeray family's long-standing influence, sets a new political dynamic for the BMC. The unopposed nature of the election, however, highlights a complex interplay of alliance politics and opposition strategy. The focus now shifts to the BJP's ability to govern Mumbai's civic affairs efficiently, as indicated by their commitment to a "development-focused agenda." The Mahayuti alliance's continued dominance in the BMC, with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor from its constituent parties, suggests a period of coordinated governance, albeit within the constraints of the Commissioner's administrative authority. The long-term implications will depend on how the new leadership navigates the city's complex civic needs and addresses the political discourse surrounding representation and governance.

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Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the new Mayor of Mumbai?
Ritu Tawde from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the new Mayor of Mumbai.
Q: How long did the Thackeray family hold the Mayor's office?
Leaders from the Thackeray family held the Mayor's office for 25 years.
Q: Did the BJP win the Mayor's election?
Yes, Ritu Tawde from the BJP was elected Mayor. It is the first time in 44 years that the BJP has held this position.
Q: Who is the Deputy Mayor?
Sanjay Ghadi from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction is the new Deputy Mayor.
Q: Was there any other candidate for Mayor?
No, Ritu Tawde was elected without any other candidates running against her.