As political parties highlight the importance of the mayor’s office, comparisons with global cities reveal why Mumbai’s mayor wields far less authority than counterparts in cities such as New York and London. The issue has come into focus after the Bharatiya Janata Party named Ritu Tawde as its mayoral candidate for Mumbai. Tawde is expected to assume office on February 11 in an unopposed election, with the Shiv Sena and Congress yet to field candidates.
Following her nomination, Tawde laid out an ambitious agenda. “This is a cosmopolitan city with people from across the country and across different income groups working here. Our priority is to work for them and work towards fixing Mumbai’s roads, infrastructure, water and drainage systems. Along with this, we will work towards removing illegal Bangladeshi migrants who come here and encroach the city,” she told reporters.
However, the key question remains whether Mumbai’s mayor has the authority to deliver on such promises. In cities like New York and London, mayors function as powerful executive heads. In New York City, the mayor runs the city government, overseeing policing, education, transport, housing, health and sanitation. With a 2025–26 budget of about USD 115.9 billion and more than 325,000 city employees reporting to City Hall, the mayor controls policy, spending and appointments, making accountability clear to voters.
London follows a similar model. The directly elected mayor heads the Greater London Authority and controls a budget of around 20.7 billion pounds for 2026–27. The mayor oversees Transport for London, sets policing priorities, and guides long-term infrastructure and planning, with scrutiny from the London Assembly.
Mumbai operates very differently. Under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, the mayor serves as a largely ceremonial head, presiding over meetings and representing the city. Executive power rests with the municipal commissioner, an IAS officer appointed by the Maharashtra government, who controls administration, staff and the civic budget.
Despite the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s massive Rs 74,427 crore budget for 2025–26, the mayor has no role in allocating or spending funds. As a result, accountability is fragmented, leaving Mumbai’s mayor highly visible, yet largely powerless to resolve the city’s chronic civic challenges.
Source: The Indian Express
