In what could mark a crucial political reset, the Maharashtra Congress is actively considering contesting the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on its own, breaking away from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition with the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP. The move stems from growing concerns within Congress that its identity and voter support in Mumbai are being steadily eroded under the alliance umbrella.
During a strategy session held in Delhi on Monday, senior Congress leaders from Maharashtra — including state in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik, and former state unit president Nana Patole — argued forcefully in favour of a solo fight. Their argument was clear: if Congress does not stake out an independent path in Mumbai, it risks becoming a fringe player in what has traditionally been one of its most important urban bastions.
One of the key factors behind this push is a notable voter realignment in Mumbai. Party insiders say minority voters, traditionally seen as a Congress pillar, are now leaning more toward the Uddhav Sena, while a large section of Hindu-leaning voters have refused to rally behind the Congress brand in the current alliance. That leaves the party in a vacuum — unable to consolidate either group while carrying the baggage of coalition compromises.
Congress leaders also highlighted the party’s dismal record in Mumbai’s civic elections over the last 15 years. From commanding 75 seats in 2007, the Congress slipped to 56 seats in 2012, and just 31 seats out of 227 in 2017. That slide mirrors a broader decline in urban connect, and the leadership feels the only way to revive the cadre’s confidence and voter trust is to rebuild its brand from the ground up.
Beyond civic polls, last year’s Maharashtra assembly election results have also added fuel to the fire. Out of 288 seats, the MVA could manage only 46, with Congress securing a mere 16 — a stark indicator of its shrinking relevance even as a coalition partner.
Political observers say Congress is faced with a tough but necessary choice: keep clinging to the MVA and risk being overshadowed by its allies, or attempt a solo revival with a dedicated local strategy. Adding a layer of complexity, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has itself hinted at contesting the BMC elections alone, potentially making Congress’s decision easier.
With civic elections expected either late this year, the Congress is under pressure to finalise its strategy. Many within the party argue that if Congress cannot reclaim its place in Mumbai — India’s financial capital and a city with a powerful political voice — it may struggle to regain credibility in the rest of Maharashtra.
