Who is Ritu Tawde, the new mayor who in the past had protested against 'indecent mannequins'

3 minutes of readingFebruary 8, 2026 07:47 am

Ending a gap of four decades, the BJP will once again have its mayor in Mumbai, and Ritu Tawde is all set to take over unopposed. Since the BJP-led Mahayuti enjoys a comfortable majority in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), his election is a formality.

Tawde’s rise from Ghatkopar corporator to the city’s first citizen reflects consistent local work combined with precise political timing.

According to his affidavit, Tawde is 53 years old and has completed his education up to grade 12. He has declared that his occupation is business. Her husband, Rajesh Tawde, is a businessman.

Tawde began his political career in the Congress before switching to the BJP in 2012. The same year, he won his first civic election in ward 127. He consolidated his base in Ghatkopar by winning again in 2017 in ward 121, and more recently in 2026 in ward 132.

Ward 132 covers parts of Vidyavihar East, Garodia Nagar, Somaiya College and Rajawadi Hospital area. With a sizeable Gujarati and Jain population, the town has traditionally been a BJP stronghold. Over the years, Tawde has built a strong political base in this belt and is considered one of the most aggressive leaders of the BJP in the northeast. Bombay.

Within the civic body, Tawde built his profile through committee work. She served as president of the Education Committee and previously as vice president of the Business Committee. During his tenure, he repeatedly spoke about improving the quality of municipal schools and demanded strict measures under the POCSO Act to ensure the safety of girl students in civic institutions.

His political presence has also extended to street activism. Tawde led protests against the advertisements and lingerie-clad mannequins, which she said insulted women. The agitation attracted widespread attention, including international media coverage, and such advertisements were subsequently banned.

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He also organized a morcha handa (water utensil) in Ghatkopar over water scarcity, after which the administration acted against water theft. Tawde has also led protests against electricity rate increases.

Outside electoral politics, Tawde heads the Maratha Pratishtha organization and has worked through the Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal to help women access job opportunities.

His latest affidavit shows total assets of Rs 5.26 crore, up from Rs 3.58 crore in 2017. His liabilities have increased sharply to Rs 3.02 crore from Rs 16.56 crore earlier. His family’s income for the last three years has remained between Rs 12 and Rs 15 lakh a year. He has declared a criminal case pending.

After being elected to the post of mayor, Tawde said she would work as a “servant of Mumbai”. “All corporators have been elected for the welfare of Mumbai. We must cut across party lines, maintain the dignity of the House and work honestly for the city,” he said.

Vallabh Ozarkar is chief correspondent for The Indian Express’s Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on Maharashtra politics, governance and infrastructure. With more than nine years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting offers high standards of expertise and reliability. Experience and Authority Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Geographic Specialization: Provides exclusive and in-depth coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state’s decision-making in Mumbai. Central Authority: His reports demonstrate deep expertise in critical and often complex state issues, including: Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and the opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts and crucial electoral updates, including local body polls and disputes between municipal corporations. Governance and policies: Coverage focused on important state policies, such as the review of Mumbai’s ‘pagdi system’ (rent control of old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g. accountability of the Ladki Bahin Yojana). Infrastructure and Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects including the Mumbai Water Metro, the Uttan-Virar sea link and the development of the Thane Metro. Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, Cabinet decisions, and reports on liability issues and alleged fraud within state departments. Experience in your current role: Your role at The Indian Express, a leading national daily, validates the credibility and standard of your reporting. Professional Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets including Mumbai Mirror and DNA – Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism. Evidence of Impact: Its work consistently analyzes complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing its reputation as a trusted source of hard-hitting, ground-level news from Maharashtra. He tweets @Ozarkarvallabh …Read more

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