BJP corporator Ritu Tawde has been elected Mayor of Mumbai on Wednesday, while Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Ghadi will serve as Deputy Mayor, following a key leadership decision taken at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Both were elected unopposed.
Ritu Tawde becomes the BJP’s second-ever Mayor in Mumbai, after Prabhakar Pai, who served in the post from 1982 to 1983.
Tawde’s name was announced at a meeting of BJP corporators held at the BMC headquarters on Friday evening. BJP leader Satam formally declared her candidature, stating that the choice was made after consultations with the party’s top leadership.
The Mayor’s post was reserved for a woman from the general category, prompting the BJP to consider experienced women leaders. Tawde, a three-time corporator from Ghatkopar, has previously served as Chairperson of the BMC’s Education Committee and is regarded as well-versed in civic administration.
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena earlier nominated corporator Sanjay Ghadi as the Mahayuti alliance’s candidate for the post of Deputy Mayor. His tenure is expected to be 1.25 years, as the Shiv Sena intends to split the term to give an opportunity to four of its corporators.
The ruling alliance secured a historic mandate in the recently concluded civic elections, strengthening its position in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
