BJP Nominates Tawde for BMC Mayor, Shiv Sena Ghadi for Deputy

Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will hold elections for mayor and deputy mayor on February 11, 2026, ending nearly four years of administration by an appointed commissioner. The Bharatiya Janata Party has nominated corporator Ritu Tawde for the mayor's position, while its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, has selected Sanjay Ghadi for deputy mayor.

The announcements came during meetings at the BMC headquarters in south Mumbai. BJP Mumbai president Ameet Satam declared Tawde's candidacy on Friday, following consultations with party leaders. Shiv Sena's Rahul Shewale confirmed Ghadi's nomination the next day. Tawde, a three-term corporator from Ward 132 in Ghatkopar, has served as chairperson of the BMC's Education Committee and brings experience in civic administration. The mayor's post is reserved for a woman from the general category, and Tawde's selection came after considering other BJP corporators, including Sheetal Gambhir Desai and Rajshree Shirwadkar.

Ghadi, elected from Ward 5 in Dahisar during the January civic polls, will serve a 15-month term as deputy mayor under the alliance agreement. The BMC's 227-member house requires 114 seats for a majority. In...