Quick Read
- BJP’s Ritu Tawde has been named the Mahayuti alliance’s candidate for Mumbai mayor.
- Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Shankar Ghadi was nominated for the deputy mayor position.
- The announcement ends weeks of suspense following the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on January 15, 2026.
- The Mahayuti alliance (BJP and Shiv Sena) secured 118 seats, surpassing the 144-seat majority needed in the BMC.
- A lottery on January 22 determined that Mumbai’s next mayor would be a woman from the General category.
MUMBAI (Azat TV) – The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially named Ritu Tawde as the Mahayuti alliance’s candidate for Mumbai mayor, ending weeks of speculation and political maneuvering following the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. This announcement, made on February 7, 2026, solidifies the leadership race for India’s wealthiest civic body, with the Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Shankar Ghadi also nominated for the deputy mayor post.
The nominations by the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP and Shiv Sena (led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde), come after the civic body elections held on January 15 across Maharashtra. The electoral process for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 28 other civic bodies had been marked by intense competition and post-election jockeying for power.
Ritu Tawde Leads Mahayuti’s Mumbai Mayoral Bid
Ritu Tawde’s selection for the mayoral position was confirmed by the Mahayuti alliance, as reported by Hindustan Times. Her nomination was anticipated, particularly after a lottery conducted on January 22 determined that the next mayor of Mumbai would be a woman from the General category. This outcome also saw Pune, Dhule, Nanded-Waghala, and Navi Mumbai receive women mayors from the general category.
Alongside Tawde, Sanjay Shankar Ghadi, a corporator from Magathane representing the Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was named as the candidate for deputy mayor. These joint nominations underscore the alliance’s consolidated effort to take control of the BMC.
Mahayuti Alliance’s Path to Civic Power
The path to these nominations began with the January 15 elections, where the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the BMC, securing 89 seats. The Shiv Sena, under Eknath Shinde, added 29 seats to the alliance’s tally. Together, the BJP and Shiv Sena crossed the crucial halfway mark of 144 seats required to control the 227-member civic body, giving the Mahayuti alliance a clear majority.
Despite their numerical advantage, the period following the elections was characterized by considerable suspense. Reports of potential last-minute defections and shifting alliances created uncertainty, with various political parties, including the BJP and Congress, accusing each other of attempting to poach corporators. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena notably moved its corporators to a Bandra hotel shortly after the elections, a common tactic to prevent poaching.
Significance of the BMC Election Outcome
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is India’s richest civic body, managing an annual budget that rivals that of some smaller states. Its leadership is highly coveted, making the mayoral race a significant political event. The Mahayuti alliance’s success in securing the required majority and now formally nominating its candidates marks a pivotal moment in Mumbai’s civic governance.
The protracted period of suspense between the election results and the formal announcement of mayoral candidates highlighted the intricate and often volatile nature of coalition politics in Maharashtra. The finalization of candidates aims to bring stability to the civic administration and allow the alliance to implement its agenda for Mumbai.
The selection of Ritu Tawde, a woman from the General category as mandated by the lottery, and Sanjay Shankar Ghadi, underscores the Mahayuti alliance’s strategy to consolidate its electoral gains and present a unified front in leading Mumbai’s civic administration following a closely watched electoral period.