2 days ago
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde Faces Tiffs Across Civic Power Structure
Ritu Tawde is the Mayor of Mumbai.
She became Mayor after the BJP regained the position following decades of Shiv Sena control.
During her first six months, she became involved in several disagreements.
Some disputes concerned her official car, spending near her residence and social media work for her office.
Tawde said she did not ask for some of these proposals and that her name was used without permission.
She also disagreed with parts of the city administration and asked the Chief Minister for changes.
Some BJP colleagues reportedly criticized her actions, although party leaders said there was no major split.
Tawde says political opponents and some officials are unfairly targeting her.
Ritu Tawde has faced disputes with the BMC administration, BJP colleagues and ruling allies during her first six months as Mumbai Mayor.
The BMC removed unauthorized red and blue flasher lights from Tawde’s official vehicle and an escort vehicle.
Tawde distanced herself from a proposed Rs 2.9 crore upgrade near her Byculla zoo residence and later sought cancellation of the tender.
A Rs 25.12 lakh social media services proposal led Tawde to question the civic public relations department and meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Party colleagues reportedly clashed with Tawde over committee interference, while BJP leaders said the party remained united.
- Who
- Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, the BMC administration, BJP colleagues, ruling allies and Opposition politicians.
- What
- Tawde has become involved in disputes over civic proposals, administrative control, public conduct and relations within the ruling coalition.
- Where
- Mumbai, including the BMC, Byculla zoo, Borivali and Ghatkopar.
- When
- During Tawde’s first six months as Mayor, with the latest administrative dispute occurring this week.
- Why
- The disputes involve alleged unauthorized use of Tawde’s name, civic spending and social media services, as well as disagreement over the Mayor’s role relative to the municipal bureaucracy.
Critics and opponents
Tawde and supporters
Mayor’s involvement in administration
Critics and opponents
Critics view Tawde’s hands-on approach as an attempt to influence areas under the Municipal Commissioner’s executive authority.
Tawde and supporters
Tawde presents her approach as an effort to make the traditionally ceremonial Mayor’s office more relevant and responsive.
Civic proposals linked to the Mayor’s office
Critics and opponents
Opposition politicians criticized the residence-related spending and the social media services proposal, including the absence of a tender process for the latter.
Tawde and supporters
Tawde said she neither requested the residence-area work nor knew about the social media proposal, and argued that officials were associating her name with proposals without her consent.
Political targeting and internal unity
Critics and opponents
Tawde’s critics, including reported disagreements within the BJP, have questioned her conduct and alleged interference in civic committees.
Tawde and supporters
Tawde says the Shiv Sena is targeting her after losing the Mayor’s post, while BJP leaders insist that the party remains united and that disputes are individual differences.
Key facts
- Mayor
- Ritu Tawde
- Political party
- Bharatiya Janata Party
- Mayor’s tenure discussed
- Six months
- Residence-related proposal
- Around Rs 2.9 crore for works near the Mayor’s official heritage residence at Byculla zoo
- Earlier residence renovation
- Rs 2.4 crore
- Social media proposal
- Rs 25.12 lakh for one year of services
- Administrative request
- Tawde reportedly sought the removal of the BMC’s Chief Public Relations Officer and an Assistant Municipal Commissioner for the department
Quotes
A senior BJP leader
A BJP leader explaining the heightened scrutiny surrounding Tawde.
“Previously, social media was not as entrenched as before. Now, the BMC has come back to power after four years and social media is very active. Every single move is critically evaluated. Sometimes, even non existent issues are overanalysed and the Mayor’s name is dragged through the mud.”
indianexpress.com
“For almost three decades, the Shiv Sena had their Mayor on the chair. For the first time in years, they are sitting on the left side of the House as the Opposition. Since they have lost their Mayor seat, they are simply targeting me with bias just because I am the Mayor.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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