Maharashtra Civic Polls: Congress Likely to Go Solo, Confirms State In-Charge Ramesh Chennithala

by Webdesk
13 Oct 2025

Congress workers across Maharashtra are pressing for the party to contest the upcoming civic elections independently, though a final decision will be made after internal consultations, said AICC state in-charge Ramesh Chennithala on Monday.

Addressing the media after a meeting of the state political affairs committee, Chennithala clarified that the majority of party workers are in favor of going solo, yet no conclusive decision has been taken so far. “It is the wish of our workers that Congress should fight the polls on its own. All our senior leaders also share this view. However, the final call—whether to contest alone or as part of an alliance—will be taken after discussions with state party president Harshawardhan Sapkal and Mumbai unit chief Varsha Gaikwad,” he stated.

When asked about the possibility of joining hands with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) umbrella, Chennithala made it clear that there have been no talks or proposals in that direction. “We have not held any discussion with the MNS, nor have they approached us. As of now, there is no question of an alliance with them,” he said, dismissing ongoing speculation.

The clarification came after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed that the MNS had shown interest in joining the MVA. Chennithala, however, emphasized that Congress would base its electoral campaign on local issues rather than alliance politics, underlining that decisions regarding partnerships would be left to the local leadership in different regions of the state.

Chennithala also launched a sharp attack on the ruling Mahayuti coalition, accusing it of diverting funds meant for essential welfare programmes to finance the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. According to him, funds totaling ₹410 crore from the social justice department and ₹335 crore from the tribal development department were redirected for this scheme, thereby weakening key welfare initiatives aimed at Scheduled Caste and tribal communities.

“This diversion of funds has hit the very departments that work for the upliftment of marginalized sections,” Chennithala said, alleging that the BJP-led government was prioritizing populist schemes over social justice.

Criticizing the government’s recently announced ₹31,628-crore relief package for farmers affected by heavy rains, Chennithala said the amount was grossly inadequate and failed to meet the demands raised by farmer organizations. He also pointed out that the MGNREGA component within the package was far too small to provide meaningful employment relief in rural areas.

In his address, Chennithala also warned against moves to privatize the Maharashtra State Electricity Board, claiming that such steps would pave the way for private monopolies while endangering the interests of employees and consumers. He further alleged that the current administration was turning a blind eye to the rise of a “coal mafia” operating in the state and ignoring citizens’ problems such as unemployment, agrarian distress, and rising inflation.

The Congress leader also condemned recent inflammatory remarks made by certain MLAs, urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to take strong action and issue clear public condemnation. “Silence from top leadership only emboldens those spreading hate,” he asserted.

Commenting on the ongoing Maratha–OBC quota dispute, Chennithala accused the BJP of trying to divide communities for political gain. He reaffirmed the Congress party’s commitment to inclusive and equitable development, stating that “Congress believes in bringing communities together, not pitting them against each other.”

He also mentioned that top MVA leaders, including Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT), and Balasaheb Thorat and Varsha Gaikwad from Congress, will meet officials of the Maharashtra State Election Commission in Mumbai on Tuesday to discuss pending election arrangements and logistical issues.

The meeting comes in the wake of a Supreme Court directive issued last month, which instructed the State Election Commission (SEC) to complete all delayed local body elections—stalled since 2022—by January 31, 2026.

The civic polls are expected to be a major political test for all parties ahead of the 2029 Assembly elections. For Congress, contesting independently could serve as a platform to rebuild its grassroots strength in urban and semi-urban Maharashtra, especially in key regions like Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Nagpur.

While the MVA partners have maintained cordial relations, growing differences over seat-sharing and strategy have raised questions about the coalition’s future. In this context, Congress’s deliberation on going solo has added a new dimension to the state’s pre-poll dynamics.

Chennithala concluded by reiterating that the final decision will be based on consultations within the party’s state leadership, keeping in mind local political realities and the aspirations of Congress workers. “Our focus is clear—strengthen the party at the grassroots, fight for people’s issues, and stand up to the ruling alliance’s failures,” he said.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

Maharashtra Civic Polls: Congress Likely to Go Solo, Confirms State In-Charge Ramesh Chennithala

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