A section of Maharashtra Congress leaders has pushed for the party to contest the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections alone, reflecting growing unease within the party about its diminishing relevance in Mumbai if it continues with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. The discussion, which took place during a meeting in Delhi on Monday, has brought the Congress High Command into a dilemma over balancing alliance commitments with the party’s ground realities in Mumbai.
Congress Leaders Weigh Risks of Alliance
Leaders present in the meeting, including state in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik, and former state unit chief Nana Patole, discussed the party’s current positioning in Mumbai politics. Several leaders expressed concerns that the Congress risks being sidelined if it contests the elections with its MVA allies — the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). They pointed out that minority votes were shifting towards the Uddhav Sena while the Congress struggled to attract Hindutva-leaning voters, creating a scenario where the party might lose its distinct voter base in Mumbai.
The leaders highlighted the poor performance of the MVA alliance in the recent assembly elections, where it could secure only 46 out of 288 seats, with the Congress winning just 16. This has raised questions about the viability of the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra, particularly in the run-up to the civic body elections.
Uddhav Sena’s Solo Plan Adds Complexity
The Congress High Command may not have to make a tough decision if the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) proceeds with its plan to contest the BMC polls independently, a move it has already hinted at. The elections, which are likely to be held later this year or early next year, will test the strength of all major political parties in Mumbai as they seek to control the cash-rich BMC.
In the 2017 BMC elections, the Congress secured only 31 out of 227 seats, a sharp decline from 56 seats in 2012 and 75 seats in 2007, reflecting its declining influence in the city. Given the current political climate, Congress leaders believe that contesting independently could help the party regain lost ground and reconnect with its voter base in Mumbai without being overshadowed by its alliance partners.
The discussions indicate that the Congress is closely evaluating its options in Mumbai, balancing the importance of alliances within the INDIA bloc with its need to retain political relevance in the city. With the Shiv Sena also considering a solo run, the upcoming BMC elections are shaping up to be a significant test for alliance politics in Maharashtra and could have wider implications for the INDIA bloc’s strategy in the state.
