As Shiv Sena (UBT) moves to opposition, Mumbai civic body set to witness political sparring

BJP leader Ritu Tawde (second from left) files her mayoral nomination. PIC/PTI

Mumbai is set to witness heightened political sparring at the BMC, with leaders of the Shiv Sena (undivided) that dominated the civic body for over two decades having moved to the opposition benches. The first signs of this shift emerged with a sharp exchange triggered by to-be-mayor Ritu Tawde, signalling the start of an aggressive phase where decisions by the ruling BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Sena alliance are expected to come under intense scrutiny.

In January, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in an interview with mid-day, highlighted the removal of illegal Bangladeshi migrants from Mumbai as a key priority. Following this, on Saturday, Tawde said that deporting illegal Bangladeshis would be her top priority. Her statement drew a strong reaction from the Opposition.

On Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut questioned the mayor's focus, noting that it was late Shiv Sena (undivided) chief Bal Thackeray who first raised the issue decades ago. While welcoming Tawde's stand in principle, Raut said, "Tawde should take the matter further by questioning the central leadership on why crores of rupees were allocated to Bangladesh in the recent Union Budget." The Sena UBT leader further questioned why financial assistance is being given to Bangladesh at a time when reports suggest attacks on Hindu temples and threats to Indian interests in the country.

BJP's mayoral nominee Ritu Tawde; Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut

Many in political corridors believe such confrontations will become frequent at the BMC as the civic body undergoes a major shift. For the first time in more than two decades, Shiv Sena sits in Opposition - a dramatic change for a party long in control. When Shiv Sena was in power, the Opposition numbers were weak. Now, with Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress together holding nearly 89 seats (excluding MNS and others) in the 227-member house, the Opposition party's voice is set to be louder and harder to ignore.

After ruling the BMC together for nearly 25 years until their split in 2017, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the 2026 civic polls, winning 89 seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 65, while the Eknath Shinde-led Sena won 29, and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) bagged six, enabling the BJP to secure the mayor's post and the Shinde camp the deputy mayor's position.

Tensions are further heightened as the mayor now represents a party that was once Shiv Sena's closest ally but is today its strongest rival. This shift from friend to foe is expected to turn every major BMC decision, including budgets, policies, and civic projects, into a political battleground.

Taking a personal swipe at Tawde, Raut quipped, "Ritu Tawde was originally from Congress. The BJP has failed to promote its loyal workers while rewarding outsiders." mid-day tried contacting Tawde for a comment, but there was no response.