BMC Elections : Congress officially declares it will contest the BMC elections independently

by Webdesk
16 Nov 2025

MUMBAI: After expressing repeated discomfort over forming an alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) due to its decision to partner with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the Congress on Saturday officially declared that it would contest the upcoming BMC elections independently. This announcement followed strong sentiment from Mumbai Congress leaders and workers, which Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad conveyed during a party training session held on Saturday. Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala endorsed this stand and made the final declaration.

The training program, organized by the Mumbai Congress in Malad, witnessed the presence of several top leaders, including state unit president Harshwardhan Sapkal. Addressing the gathering, Sapkal and other senior leaders attempted to revive the confidence of party workers after the party’s major defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections. They encouraged the cadre to regroup, rebuild, and prepare themselves for an impactful performance in the upcoming BMC polls.

During her address, Gaikwad emphasized that party workers must focus on ensuring victory for Congress candidates across all 227 wards of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Highlighting the strong demand from grassroots workers, she informed the senior leadership that Congress members in Mumbai preferred contesting the election without entering any alliance. Responding to this sentiment, Chennithala said, “Congress has decided to respect the views of local units regarding civic polls, and therefore, the party will contest the BMC elections independently.”

Following this announcement, Chennithala dismissed ongoing rumors about potential divisions within the Congress. He assured party members that there would be no split and reaffirmed that Congress was not just a political organization but an ideology rooted in democratic values. He further expressed confidence that the party, despite suffering significant setbacks in recent elections, had repeatedly shown the ability to bounce back. He said the Congress would once again regain strength, just as it had done numerous times in the past.

Gaikwad, without naming the MNS directly, referred to parties that had engaged in violent actions against migrants from other states. She clarified that Congress could not consider aligning with parties involved in such hostility. “Congress believes in inclusivity and in taking every community along,” she stated. “Some parties have assaulted people from other states, and this completely contradicts the culture and principles of the Congress. We have conveyed the feelings of our Mumbai Congress workers, and the leaders approved the decision in accordance with the party’s policy of giving preference to local units in alliance matters.”

She also mentioned that while Congress would not partner with parties like MNS, it remained open to discussing possible alliances with other ideologically similar parties. These discussions could include parties such as different factions of the Republican Party of India (RPI) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the coming days, Gaikwad said, the Congress would actively highlight instances of corruption in the BMC and strongly raise the issues faced by Mumbai residents.

When asked for a reaction, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar said that the Congress’s decision to contest the elections alone was an internal matter for their party. She commented, “Even after their defeat in Bihar, the Congress leadership has made its independent decision, and that is entirely their right. Our party leadership will discuss this issue and take a final call on our position.” Another Sena (UBT) leader, Ambadas Danve, added that all political parties had agreed to allow local leadership to take decisions regarding alliances for municipal elections, and Congress was simply following the same understanding.

With Congress stepping out of the alliance framework and committing to an independent contest, the political environment ahead of the BMC elections has become more dynamic. The move not only reflects internal sentiment within the Congress but also signifies a shift in the opposition bloc’s strategy in Mumbai. As the city heads toward crucial civic polls, the Congress is preparing to revitalize its organization, reconnect with its voter base, and present itself as a strong contender in the battle for control over the BMC.

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02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

BMC Elections : Congress officially declares it will contest the BMC elections independently

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