Mumbai is poised to elect its new Mayor on Wednesday, with the voting scheduled for 12 noon at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters in Fort. Immediately after the Mayor’s election, the civic body will proceed with the selection of the Deputy Mayor.

The contest is expected to be a straightforward affair, as no rival candidates have entered the fray for either post. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has put forward corporator Ritu Tawde for the Mayor’s position, while its ally Shiv Sena has nominated Sanjay Ghadigaonkar for Deputy Mayor. With their alliance commanding a clear majority in the 227-member municipal corporation, both candidates are almost certain to secure victory.

Ritu Tawde represents Ward 132 and has been active in civic affairs for several years. Sanjay Ghadigaonkar, elected from Ward 5 in the civic elections held on January 15, is set to assume the Deputy Mayor’s office if the voting proceeds as anticipated.

The development carries significant political weight. The BMC, regarded as India’s wealthiest municipal corporation, has long been a key power centre in Maharashtra politics. For nearly 25 years, the undivided Shiv Sena dominated the civic body after capturing control in 1997. Now, after close to three decades, the BJP is on the verge of leading the corporation.

If elected, Ritu Tawde will become Mumbai’s 77th Mayor and only the second BJP leader to hold the prestigious post. The first BJP Mayor of Mumbai was Dr. Prabhakar Pai, who served during 1982–83.

Senior state leaders are expected to attend the ceremony, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. The event will also mark Sunetra Pawar’s first official visit to the BMC headquarters since assuming office as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister.