BJP's Ritu Tawde Secures Mumbai Mayor Post, Breaking 25-Year Thackeray Hold on BMC
In a significant political shift, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully secured the position of Mumbai Mayor, with Ritu Tawde set to take the helm. This development marks the conclusion of a 25-year era of dominance by the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), India's richest civic body.
Opposition Bloc Composition and Seat Distribution
On the Opposition side, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) managed to secure 65 seats in the recent elections. This bloc is further strengthened by its allies, including the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) with six seats and the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) with one seat. Collectively, this brings the total strength of the Opposition alliance to 72 seats.
Implications of the Political Transition
The election of Ritu Tawde as Mumbai Mayor represents a major realignment in the city's political landscape. For over two decades, the BMC had been under the firm control of the Thackeray family, first with Bal Thackeray and later with Uddhav Thackeray. This change signals a potential shift in administrative priorities and governance strategies for Mumbai's civic affairs.
The BJP's victory in securing the mayoral position is seen as a strategic gain, allowing the party to influence key decisions regarding urban development, infrastructure projects, and public services in India's financial capital. The outcome reflects evolving voter sentiments and political dynamics within Maharashtra.
As Ritu Tawde prepares to assume office, all eyes will be on how the new administration addresses longstanding civic issues, including water supply, waste management, and transportation challenges. The transition period is expected to involve careful navigation of coalition politics and bureaucratic processes.
Reported by Mrityunjay Bose | Last Updated: 07 February 2026, 11:39 IST
