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SP hits out at Congress, declares it will fight the BMC and all other Maharashtra local body elections independently.
- by Webdesk
- 20 Nov 2025
Source: The Times Of India
Mumbai: In a major political development ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and other local body polls in Maharashtra, the Samajwadi Party (SP) on Wednesday announced that it is stepping out of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. The party declared that it will contest all local body elections—including the BMC polls—in Mumbai and across the state independently. SP leader Abu Asim Azmi shared this decision while presenting the reasons behind the move.
Azmi explained that their exit from the MVA came after the Congress, one of the principal allies in the coalition, decided to contest the BMC elections on its own. Following this, the SP also resolved to fight separately. According to Azmi, the party will field candidates in 150 out of 227 seats in the BMC. He stated confidently, “Wherever there is any local body election in Maharashtra, the Samajwadi Party will contest it on its own strength.”
The SP leader openly criticised the Congress, saying, “A big party like the Congress only wants to take, never to give. They don’t even invite us to alliance meetings.” He added that the Congress must introspect and correct its attitude. Azmi also pointed out that Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamna had recently criticised the Congress as well, remarking that despite a poor performance in Bihar, the party was still attempting to project itself as a national force.
Azmi said that if alliances function properly, results can improve significantly, but claimed that Congress lacks leadership and coordination. Highlighting the poor living conditions in Mumbai’s slum-dominated areas—such as lack of clean water and basic amenities—Azmi asserted that the SP continues to represent the labour class, farmers, and the underprivileged, and will stand firmly for their issues.
He further emphasised the need for early clarity on the BMC ward structure and reservation. “Ward reservations must be declared at least a year in advance so that candidates get adequate time to prepare,” he demanded. The SP will begin distributing application forms from November 20 and will contest in every ward where it sees a strong chance of victory. “Last time, without any discussion, the Congress allotted us only two seats. That won’t work anymore. Hence, this time we are going solo,” he said.
Azmi also launched a strong attack on the BJP-led Maharashtra government, accusing it of unfair allocation of development funds. “If someone joins hands with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde or Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, their constituencies start receiving funds. But areas like Shivajinagar–Govandi, my own constituency, get the least budgets,” he claimed, calling the system partial and politically motivated.
The SP leader did not hold back while speaking about the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) either. Azmi alleged that the MNS has repeatedly insulted North Indians and warned that any political party aligning with the MNS will face a backlash from the public and suffer electoral damage. He also hinted at a possible closeness growing between Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray in view of the shifting political landscape after Congress’ announcement to contest alone.
Azmi noted that political equations in Maharashtra were changing rapidly. He observed that after Congress decided to go solo, the Shiv Sena (UBT) expressed strong displeasure, leading to new uncertainties and fresh alignments being speculated across the state.
He concluded the press briefing by clarifying the broader ideology of the Samajwadi Party. “SP is not just a political party—it is a movement. We belong to the poor, the backward sections, and the voiceless. And this struggle of ours will continue independently,” Azmi affirmed.
With this announcement, the SP has formally set the tone for a three-way contest in several regions of Maharashtra during the upcoming local body polls. As the political scene continues to shift swiftly, all eyes will be on how this decision affects the dynamics within Mumbai and other parts of the state.
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