Congress to prepare for all 227 BMC seats in next year’s civic polls: Nana Patole

“The Congress has started ward-wise preparations across 227 seats. The party is working to increase its electoral base in every ward,” he added.

While indicating that the party will hold many such meetings as the situation evolves, the Congress avoided comment on an alliance with Shiv Sena and NCP – its alliance partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state — for BMC polls.

The former Assembly Speaker emphasised that the foremost task was to make the organisation stronger in Mumbai and Maharashtra.

The party also felt that women’s representation, specially from reserved categories such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, in the civic body was poor, said Patole. “We have set up a committee led by Chandurkar. The committee will identify the flaws in the present structure and suggest changes. Restructuring a few wards cannot be ruled out to bring inclusive representatives to all categories, including women,” he said.

Those present at the meeting included Mumbai Congress chief Bhai Jagtap, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, state Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat and PWD Minister Ashok Chavan.

During the meeting, the party discussed ward-wise strategies, as well as what projects and policies the Congress should raise within the government for the welfare of Mumbai city and its people.