Mumbai, Feb 7 (NationPress) The BJP's selection of Ritu Tawde for the mayoral position of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is not merely a standard civic choice; it represents a well-thought-out political strategy aimed at transforming Mumbai's power dynamics.

Following decades of Shiv Sena dominance in the BMC, Tawde's candidacy illustrates the BJP's determination to establish itself as the leading entity in the city's civic and cultural landscape.

Her profile as a Marathi, a two-time corporator, and a female leader aligns seamlessly with the party's overarching electoral goals.

In contrast, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has nominated Sanjay Ghadi as its candidate for the Deputy Mayor position.

The elections for both the mayor and deputy mayor will occur on February 11, 2026, with votes cast by 227 elected corporators starting at 11:30 a.m.

Tawde, representing Ward 132 (Ghatkopar East), is a recognized Marathi face of the BJP and has previously held the role of Chairperson of the BMC Education Committee.

If she wins, Tawde will become Mumbai's first BJP Mayor in over 40 years—since Prabhakar Pai in 1982—and the first non-Shiv Sena Mayor in 25 years.

The mayoral position was designated for a Woman (General category) through a lottery system. By endorsing Tawde, the BJP aims to present a leadership image that resonates with the “Marathi - Konkani - Hindu” identity for the city.

For the deputy mayor role, Shiv Sena has put forth Sanjay Ghadi, a senior corporator from Ward 5 (Dahisar).

Previously associated with Shiv Sena (UBT), Ghadi switched to the Shinde faction after the party split in 2022. According to their alliance, Ghadi will serve as Deputy Mayor for 15 months, after which the position will rotate among four Shiv Sena corporators during the five-year tenure.

The nomination papers were submitted at the BMC headquarters on Saturday, following civic elections held on January 15.

The MahaYuti alliance has a clear majority in the civic body, with 118 corporators—89 from the BJP and 29 from Shiv Sena. In comparison, the opposition consists of Shiv Sena (UBT) with 65 corporators, Congress with 24, and others, including MNS and NCP, totaling 20.

This election will officially conclude nearly four years of administrative control at the BMC, which has been managed by a state-appointed administrator since March 2022.

Previously, the MahaYuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP—achieved a decisive victory in the January 2026 civic elections across 29 municipal corporations, significantly altering the political landscape of Maharashtra ahead of future state-level elections.