Ritu Tawde Elected Unopposed as Mumbai's 78th Mayor
In a significant development for India's financial capital, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ritu Tawde was elected unopposed as Mumbai's 78th mayor on Tuesday. This historic election marks the end of nearly four years of administrator's rule in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), India's richest municipal body. The session, however, was marred by heated exchanges, slogan-shouting, and walkouts by Opposition parties.
Tense Proceedings and Opposition Walkouts
The mayoral election witnessed dramatic moments as the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress staged walkouts, objecting to the appointment of BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani as presiding officer. BJP corporators raised "Modi Modi" slogans, while Opposition members countered with "Thackeray Thackeray" chants, creating a charged atmosphere in the iconic BMC House.
Kishori Pednekar, Leader of the Opposition, criticized the commissioner's appointment, stating, "We have many senior corporators among us. All corporators across parties will work together for city development, but we oppose that the commissioner has been placed as presiding officer instead of our senior corporators, which the rule stipulates."
In response, Commissioner Gagrani explained that since the civic body had been under an administrator for four years, he was mandated by the state government to preside over this first session. A senior civic official clarified that while the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act traditionally provides for the outgoing mayor or senior-most corporator to act as presiding officer, a new provision introduced after the 2022 administrator's rule enabled the commissioner to take this role for the initial meeting.
Historic Significance and Administrative Transition
Tawde's elevation brings closure to the administrator's regime imposed on March 8, 2022, after the general body was dissolved following the deferment of local body elections in Maharashtra. She becomes the eighth woman mayor of Mumbai and only the second BJP leader to hold this prestigious position since the mayoral office was formally instituted in the BMC in 1931.
The ceremony was attended by prominent Mahayuti leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP MLA Ameet Satam, Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale, and cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, underscoring the political significance of this transition.
Mayor Tawde's Vision and Priorities
In her first address after assuming charge, Mayor Ritu Tawde outlined clear priorities for Mumbai's development, with particular emphasis on two key areas:
- Action Against Illegal Immigrants: Tawde reiterated her commitment to addressing the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the city, signaling a focus on security and demographic concerns.
- Promotion of Marathi Language and Culture: She emphasized strengthening Marathi cultural initiatives through the civic body, stating, "Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has promised a Marathi mayor, and today I, a Marathi, have taken charge as the mayor in this iconic House."
Tawde elaborated on cultural plans, noting, "Although there is a Marathi language department in the BMC, the department will also work further toward promoting the language. The corporation will work and support in promoting Marathi language, art... we will also build a special theatre for Marathi films, while all theatres will be renovated along the lines of the Ravindra Natya Mandir."
Deputy Mayor Election and Continued Tensions
In a parallel development, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Ghadi was elected unopposed as Mumbai's deputy mayor. Ghadi, who was earlier part of the undivided Shiv Sena, had joined the Eknath Shinde-led faction after the party's split. Tensions continued during the session, with Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators staging a walkout during Ghadi's speech, highlighting the ongoing political divisions.
This mayoral election represents a crucial moment for Mumbai's governance, ending a prolonged period of administrator-led administration and restoring elected leadership to the BMC. As Mayor Tawde assumes her responsibilities, her focus on civic projects, cultural promotion, and addressing sensitive issues like illegal immigration will shape Mumbai's development trajectory in the coming years.
