Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde Denies Recommending Dr Shrenik Kotecha as BMC Advisor

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has been drawn into a controversy over an alleged letter recommending the appointment of educationist Dr Shrenik Kotecha as an honorary advisor for new educational initiatives in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools in Mumbai. Tawde has categorically denied writing or issuing the letter.

The alleged letter, dated March 4, stated that improving education quality in civic schools and introducing initiatives aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) was the need of the hour. It described Kotecha as a national-level educationist and a member of the Maharashtra government's steering committee for NEP implementation, adding that he had sought the advisory role based on his experience.

The recommendation sparked controversy due to Kotecha's past ties with MT Educare (Mahesh Tutorials), an entity that recently shut down all its coaching centres. Kotecha's association with MT Educare ended in 2021.

Mayor Tawde refuted the claims, stating that she does not know Kotecha and that the letter was neither inwarded nor outwarded from her office. She called the document fake and alleged that her signature had been forged.

However, BMC Education Committee Chairperson Rajashree Shirwadkar maintained that she received the letter and subsequently forwarded it for processing.