Mumbai: The ruling Mahayuti alliance has finalized BJP leader Ritu Tawde as its candidate for the Mayor of Mumbai. Tawde, a corporator from Ward 132 in Ghatkopar, will contest the post in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The Shinde faction of Shiv Sena has nominated Sanjay Shankar Ghadi, corporator from Magathane, for the position of Deputy Mayor.
Voting Details and Reservation
Voting for the new Mayor is scheduled on 11 February at 12 PM. This year, the mayoral post is reserved for a woman corporator from the general category. The BMC Commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, will oversee the election process.
Announcement of Candidates
BJP Mumbai President Amit Satam announced Ritu Tawde’s candidature at the municipal headquarters on Saturday in the presence of senior party leaders and corporators. Tawde’s name was chosen over Rajeshri Shirwadkar from Sion, who was also considered. Simultaneously, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena declared Sanjay Shankar Ghadi as its Deputy Mayor candidate, whose tenure will last one and a half years.
Historical Moment and Party Assurance
Ritu Tawde described her nomination as a historic moment and expressed gratitude to the party leadership for entrusting her with this responsibility. Amit Satam stated that the new government aims to make Mumbai corruption-free and will govern with the support and blessings of the city’s residents.
Electoral Strength and BJP’s Majority
Despite opposition parties fielding candidates, the BJP-Shinde alliance, with 118 corporators in the 227-member BMC house, is confident of winning both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts. In the BMC elections held on 15 January, BJP emerged as the largest party, winning 89 seats, while its ally Shiv Sena secured 29 seats. The Uddhav faction of Shiv Sena won 65 seats, and Raj Thackeray’s MNS managed just six seats.
The Mahayuti alliance comfortably crossed the majority mark of 114 seats, ensuring a smooth path for the Mayor’s post. After prolonged deliberations, the BJP corporator Ritu Tawde’s name was finalized as the alliance’s choice, despite the Shinde faction initially seeking the mayoral post for its own candidate.
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