Mumbai's civic landscape is set for a significant change. The incoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) House will feature 10 nominated corporators for the first time. This marks a clear doubling from the previous count of five nominated members.
A New Era for Mumbai's Civic Governance
The 227-member civic house traditionally operated with only five nominated corporators. Political parties with the highest strength typically secured a larger share of these nominations. The recent amendment to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act has fundamentally altered this dynamic.
How the New System Works
In March 2023, the Maharashtra Legislative Council approved a crucial amendment. This change raised the cap on nominated corporators in the BMC from five to ten. Under the revised rules, municipal corporations can now appoint up to ten nominated corporators. Alternatively, they can appoint up to ten percent of the total number of corporators, whichever figure is lower.
The earlier term of the civic house concluded in March 2022. That house comprised 227 elected corporators and five nominated members. The upcoming term will be historic, introducing ten nominated positions for the very first time.
Political Dynamics and Nomination Shares
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party in the recent elections. With 89 of its corporators elected, the BJP is poised to secure the maximum number of nominations. Civic sources indicate the party could nominate up to four individuals.
The remaining nominated seats are expected to be distributed among other major political players. These include the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and the Congress party.
Looking Back at Previous Nominations
The last civic house featured five nominated corporators. Two represented the undivided Shiv Sena: Trushna Vishwasrao and Arvind Bhosale. Two came from the BJP: Bhalchandra Shirsat and Shriniwas Tripathi. Sunil Narsale represented the Congress.
Nominated corporator positions hold significant value for political parties. Parties often use these positions to reward popular leaders they could not field in elections. They also provide a pathway for candidates who narrowly lost their electoral battles. Intense competition exists among party workers to secure these coveted nominations.
Upcoming Mayoral Elections
Civic sources have revealed important information about leadership selection. The mayoral elections are likely to be held on January 28, 2026. This follows a special meeting called by the municipal secretary and municipal commissioner.
Corporators in the house will elect the Mayor through a voting process. An official explained the procedure simply: "Whoever gets the maximum number of votes is declared the Mayor and deputy Mayor."
While no rule mandates that the party with the most corporators must secure the Mayor's post, historical patterns are telling. The party holding a clear majority has typically managed to claim this prestigious position. The last Mayor was Kishori Pednekar of the Shiv Sena, who successfully won re-election in the recent polls.
This expansion of nominated seats represents a strategic shift in Mumbai's municipal governance. It offers parties new avenues for influence and representation within the city's powerful civic body.
