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Ritu Tawde is an Indian politician currently serving as the Mayor of Mumbai ¹. She is a prominent figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has a significant history in Mumbai's civic governance ⁵⁶.

Early Life and Background

Ritu Tawde was born on April 18, 1972 ¹, or in 1973 according to some sources ². She grew up in Ghatkopar, a bustling eastern suburb of Mumbai, in a Marathi household ²⁴. Her upbringing was deeply influenced by the cultural traditions and social values of her community ².

Political Career and Rise to Mayor

Tawde's political journey began with the Indian National Congress before she switched to the BJP in 2012 ⁸. She quickly established herself in local politics:

• First Election Victory: In 2012, she won her first civic election from Ward 127 ⁸.
• Three-Term Corporator: Tawde has served as a three-term BJP corporator from Ghatkopar ⁶.
• Mayoral Candidacy: The BJP nominated her as their candidate for the post of Mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ⁷.
• Mayor of Mumbai: In February 2026, Ritu Tawde was elected as the Mayor of Mumbai, becoming the head of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation ¹. Her victory marked the end of a four-year gap in elected civic leadership and broke the Shiv Sena's 25-year hold on the mayoral post ⁶.

Key Achievements and Public Image

Tawde is known for her active engagement in community development and her focus on civic issues ⁵. Her political career has been characterized by:

• Strong Electoral Performance: Her victory in Ward 132 was particularly notable, as she secured strong support despite the ward having a large Gujarati and Jain population ³.
• Experience in BMC Governance: With over a decade of experience in the BMC, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her mayoral role ⁶.
• Social Welfare Work: She has been actively involved in social welfare initiatives throughout her career ⁶.
• Advocacy on Social Issues: Tawde has previously gained attention for her protests against "indecent mannequins" ⁸.

Ritu Tawde maintains a relatively private personal life, with her public identity largely centered on her political work and civic leadership ⁵.