Mumbai will get a new Mayor on Wednesday after a gap of nearly four years — with Ritu Tawde facing an unopposed contest for the post. The elevation will end nearly 25 years of Thackeray dominance over the richest civic body in the country. This will also be the first time in more than 40 years that the BJP has held the top post. But the Mumbai Mayor remains a largely ceremonial role despite nearly 150 years of reform — a marked contrast against some of the civic bodies in other states.
“I am very happy that the people of Mumbai have given a good mandate to Mahayuti. The BJP has been working continuously among the people since COVID. I have been elected unopposed and will take charge on February 11. After assuming office, I will work as the sevak of Mumbai, not as its Mayor,” Tawde assured recently.
ALSO READTobacco baron’s son in Delhi for ‘treatment’, 10-cr Lamborghini ‘had issue’: New details emerge about Kanpur crash
She will be joined by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Ghadi as Deputy Mayor. The Eknath Shinde-led party has announced that the term would be split to allow four or more corporators to serve during the tenure. There are no other candidates in the fray — with a senior BMC official telling PTI that they had received just these two nominations before the deadline.
What powers does Mumbai Mayor hold?
The Mayor of Mumbai is a largely ceremonial role with actual powers concentrated in the hands of an IAS ranked Municipal Commissioner. The latter commands executive and administrative control over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Data from the Urban Governance Index report published by Praja Foundation in 2024 indicates Tawde will be among the least empowered mayors in the country.
ALSO READIndia’s new IT rules 2026: What the 3-hour takedown deadline means for social media and AI
She will be the ‘first citizen’ of Mumbai and preside over deliberations within the BMC — elected by and amongst the 227 corporators. The Mayor also welcomes foreign dignitaries and VVIPs as the face of the city. Candidates are typically politicians who enjoy goodwill amongst corporators across party lines. The Mayoral term can be shortened to 2.5 years as per the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act.
So who holds the real power?
The actual powers are concentrated in the hands of the Mumbai municipal commissioner. The MMC Act had created three coordinated authorities in 1888 — the municipal corporation, the standing committee and the municipal commissioner. But it placed all executive powers in the hands of the latter. It is the commissioner who is authorised to set the agenda, prepare the budget proposal, and control the appointment and transfer of its officials. The commissioner can also override municipal decisions, influencing policies or prioritising projects from the back-end.
ALSO READPilot’s 3 year suspension, operator lapses: Rohit Pawar’s ‘eye-opening points’ on Ajit Pawar’s plane crash
</p> |
