CM Devendra Fadnavis and DCM Eknath Shinde Congratulate Newly Appointed Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Brihanmumbai

Mumbai, Feb 2026 : Councillor Ritu Tawde has been elected as the Mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), while Sanjay Ghadhi has been chosen as the Deputy Mayor. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde congratulated both leaders by presenting them with bouquets.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Fadnavis expressed confidence that the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and all office-bearers would provide strong direction to the civic body and work towards fulfilling the aspirations of the common Mumbaikar. He assured them of the government’s full support and said their leadership would accelerate efforts to build a “new Mumbai.”

The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister were speaking to the media after the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the BMC House. Also present were Mumbai City Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, former MP Rahul Shewale, MLAs Amit Satam, Pravin Darekar, Chitra Wagh, and others.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said Ritu Tawde is widely regarded as an experienced and authentic Marathi leader who has previously taken an assertive stand on issues concerning Mumbaikars. He expressed confidence that under her leadership, the government’s ongoing development agenda for Mumbai would be effectively implemented through the municipal corporation. He added that the civic body would also benefit from the administrative experience of Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadhi. Marking the birth centenary year of Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray, the Chief Minister said the municipal administration would function in a manner aligned with Balasaheb’s vision and expectations.

Highlighting the importance of democratic governance, Fadnavis noted that the municipal corporation is an integral pillar of democracy. He recalled that administrators had been appointed earlier following Supreme Court directives, and said he was pleased that democratic rule by elected representatives had now been restored. He added that citizens naturally feel a closer connection to their elected representatives.

The Chief Minister also shared a personal note, stating that it was his first time sitting in the gallery of the historic BMC House and witnessing its proceedings. Being present at such an important ceremony in a building of great heritage and historical significance, he said, was a special and memorable experience.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the city had received a highly capable Mayor and Deputy Mayor. He noted that over the past three-and-a-half years, significant momentum had been given to Mumbai’s development, and the people of Mumbai had endorsed this progress. Emphasising the government’s commitment to making Mumbai a world-class city, he said all necessary steps would be taken for the city’s growth.

Referring to the birth centenary year of Balasaheb Thackeray, Shinde said the government was committed to fulfilling Balasaheb’s dreams, including the vision of a slum-free Mumbai. He added that efforts were already underway to achieve this goal, along with initiatives to make Mumbai pothole-free and pollution-free. The Deputy Chief Minister also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming Mumbai into a fintech capital, assuring that the government would work earnestly to realise this ambition.