1 week ago
Mumbai Mayor Seeks Approval Amid Social Media Contract Controversy
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde said officials must ask her before using her name in future proposals.
This happened after disagreements about renovating the Mayor’s bungalow and hiring social media staff.
A contract worth Rs 25.12 lakh was proposed for managing the Mayor’s social media for one year.
The contract was given to Runtime Solutions Pvt Ltd.
The proposal was not discussed by the civic Standing Committee.
The document said no tender process was used.
Some corporators wanted a senior officer to lead the Public Relations Department.
Opposition members questioned how the proposal was connected to the Mayor and said the controversy was damaging her image.
Mayor Ritu Tawde asked the civic commissioner to obtain her approval for proposals issued in her name.
The move follows disputes over her bungalow renovation and a proposed social media management contract.
The Rs 25.12 lakh, one-year contract with Runtime Solutions was not taken up by the Standing Committee.
The contract document stated that no tender process was followed for the appointment.
Corporators debated strengthening the Public Relations Department and alleged that the controversy was harming the Mayor’s image.
- Who
- Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, and BMC corporators.
- What
- Tawde directed the commissioner to seek her prior approval for proposals issued in her name.
- Where
- Mumbai, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Mayor’s bungalow at Byculla Zoo.
- When
- The direction followed events reported on August 21, 2026; the contract period was August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027.
- Why
- The action followed controversy over bungalow renovation proposals and a social media management contract associated with the Mayor’s office.
Mayor and Supporters
Opposition and Critics
Public Relations Department leadership
Mayor and Supporters
Ritu Tawde, Preeti Satam, and Ganesh Khankar supported having a senior or assistant commissioner head the Public Relations Department, citing its nearly Rs 100 crore budget and the need to protect the Mayor’s image.
Opposition and Critics
Opposition leader Kishori Pednekar alleged that Tawde was speaking through Preeti Satam while demanding action against the department.
Social media proposal
Mayor and Supporters
Tawde said she had not sought the appointment of a private agency or personnel to manage social media for her office and demanded prior approval for future proposals using her name.
Opposition and Critics
Ashraf Azmi questioned why the Standing Committee did not discuss the proposal, saying discussion could have clarified how the Mayor’s name became associated with it.
Source of reputational damage
Mayor and Supporters
Tawde’s supporters said the Public Relations Department should face action if the Mayor’s image was being tarnished.
Opposition and Critics
Azmi said he believed the Mayor’s image was being tarnished by people within her own organization.
Key facts
- Mayor
- Ritu Tawde
- Municipal Commissioner
- Ashwini Bhide
- Social media contract
- Rs 25.12 lakh
- Contract period
- August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027
- Contractor
- M/s Runtime Solutions Pvt Ltd
- Standing Committee outcome
- The proposal was declared “not taken” and was not discussed.
- Tender process
- The proposal document stated that no tender process was followed.
Quotes
Kishori Pednekar
Opposition leader and Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator
“it is the Mayor who is talking through Preeti Satam”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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