History was made on 11th February 2026, as Ritu Tawde from the BJP officially took over as Mumbai’s 78th Mayor, bringing an end to 25 years of Thackeray family dominance over the Brihanmumbai MunicipalCorporation(BMC). Additionally, Sanjay Ghadi from the Shiv Sena joined her as the Deputy Mayor, bringing together two major parties to run India’s biggest and wealthiest city council kicking off a fresh chapter for the BMC.
Back in the January 15, 2026, elections, the BJP came out on top as the biggest winner, securing 89 seats. Their partner, the Shiv Sena, picked up 29 seats, and together they pushed past the 114-seat mark needed to control the 227-member BMC. Meanwhile, the group led by Uddhav Thackeray finished with 65 seats. After the votes were counted, a special lottery was held to decide who could lead the city, and it was officially settled that the next Mayor of Mumbai had to be a woman. The BMC election felt more like a high-stakes stadium match than a government meeting. While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde attended to support the new leadership, the building echoed with rival chants of “Modi” and “Thackeray.” Adding to the drama, Congress members wore masks to protest the city’s poor air quality, marking a tense showdown between Mumbai’s old and new political powers.
For Tawde herself, the moment carried deep personal significance. The 53 year old corporator from Ghatkopar becomes only the second BJP mayor in Mumbai since Prabhakar Pai held the position in 1982 to 1983. Identifying herself as the “Marathi Mayor,” she pledged people-centric governance focused on cleanliness, women’s empowerment, and digital transformation. “After assuming office, I will work as the ‘Sevak of Mumbai’, not as its Mayor,” she told reporters.
Yet controversy emerged during her inaugural speech when Tawde alleged that opposition corporators made objectionable comments about her. “Objectionable remarks were made about me, which shows their lack of sensitivity towards women,” she stated firmly, maintaining that her opponents were more interested in creating chaos than serving Mumbaikars.
Speaking after the ceremony, Chief Minister Fadnavis struck an optimistic tone saying “Ms. Tawde is experienced and knows the pulse of people,” he said, adding that “as a mayor, she will fulfill dreams of the common Mumbaikar.”
