Navi Mumbai mayor and deputy mayor polls set for February 5, four candidates file nominations

The nomination process for the mayor and deputy mayor of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) concluded on Sunday, February 1, 2026 , with four candidates filing papers ahead of elections scheduled for February 5 . Nominations were submitted between 11 am and 1 pm before Municipal Secretary Sangharatna Khillare at the NMMC headquarters in Belapur .

For the mayor’s post , Sujata Suraj Patil of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Saroj Rohidas Patil of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are contesting. Sujata Patil, a second-term corporator, is the wife of local BJP leader Suraj Patil and has emerged as a key figure in the city’s civic politics. Her nomination reflects strong support from senior BJP leaders and highlights her growing influence within the party. Saroj Rohidas Patil, a former corporator and opposition leader, represents Shiv Sena’s attempt to challenge the BJP despite having fewer corporators. She is known for her active involvement in community work and public service initiatives in Navi Mumbai.

In the race for deputy mayor , Dashrath Sitaram Bhagat of the BJP is up against Akash Balkrishna Madhvi of Shiv Sena. Dashrath Bhagat is a seasoned BJP corporator known for his work in municipal governance, infrastructure, sanitation, and local development. Akash Madhvi, representing Shiv Sena, has been active in local party activities and civic engagement, focusing on community welfare and public service programs. Their contest adds another layer of political significance to the upcoming elections.

The BJP had won 65 seats in the 122-member civic body in the recent municipal elections. With the support of an Independent corporator , the party’s strength rises to 66 - comfortably above the majority mark . The BJP has already registered its group of 66 corporators with the Konkan Divisional Commissioner , and former mayor Sagar Naik has been unanimously elected as the BJP group leader in the NMMC.

The contest has taken on added political significance as the BJP and the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena have opted to field rival candidates instead of agreeing on a consensus formula for the mayor and deputy mayor posts, reflecting growing political tension in Navi Mumbai.

The special general body meeting to elect the mayor and deputy mayor is scheduled for 11 am on February 5, 2026 , at the NMMC headquarters. While the mayor’s role is largely ceremonial, it carries substantial political importance, including presiding over general body meetings and representing the city at official events, with the deputy mayor assisting and standing in as needed.