‘Prepare for all 227 seats’: Varsha Gaikwad tells workers as Mumbai Congress plans to contest BMC polls solo

Addressing a day-long organisational workshop attended by AICC Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, senior leaders and workers, Gaikwad called on party workers to resolve to “unfurl the Congress flag in the BMC”. “We must ensure the election of Congress corporators. Prepare for all 227 seats,” she added.

Gaikwad said that earlier, when reporters asked Chennithala if the party would go it alone in the BMC polls, he had maintained that such decisions were left to the local units.

“We have conveyed to him (Chennithala) that Congress leaders and workers want to go alone,” she said, adding that office-bearers have been briefed on organisational preparations.

Clarifying his stance after the meeting, Chennithala also announced that the Congress would contest independently on the all 227 seats of BMC, confirming that the MVA would not be together in the upcoming civic body polls, at least in Mumbai. “This is the demand of all the party workers, leaders and office bearers. Accordingly, Congress will contest the BMC polls on all the seats independently,” said Chennithala.

The announcement comes at a time when back-channel talks are going on within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) about inducting Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). However, the Congress has shown its hesitation to include the MNS in the Opposition bloc, citing the party’s tilt towards Hindutva and its stand against North Indians.

Observers said that the Congress’s forceful pitch for a solo contest also reflects internal discomfort over renewed efforts by sections of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SP) to explore an understanding with Raj Thackeray ahead of the civic polls.

While the MNS has not formally joined the alliance, leaders from the Sena (UBT) have publicly said that “all anti-BJP forces” should be on board and have gone on to say that the MNS and the Sena (UBT) would be together in the BMC polls.

Without naming the MNS, Gaikwad pointedly remarked that some parties “normalise violence and take law into their own hands”, and added, “We believe in the Constitution. We believe in taking everyone along. Certain political cultures do not align with ours.”
At the workshop, Gaikwad also accused the ruling dispensation of turning the BMC into a “contractor-driven empire”, alleging misuse of public funds and opaque tendering practices. “Mumbai taxpayers’ money is being channelled into political funding. Ordinary citizens are the ones paying the price,” she said.
Congress insiders admitted that talk of MNS being accommodated in the Opposition bloc has revived unresolved concerns over seat-sharing, particularly in core Marathi-speaking pockets and areas where the Congress is attempting to rebuild. With the party still recovering from shrinking urban footprints and a damaging performance in Bihar, leaders are wary of further dilution of their bargaining space.

“The last BMC polls showed us the dangers of spreading too thin. Bringing in another strong Marathi party will directly cut into whatever space we are reclaiming. A solo fight gives us clarity,” said a senior Mumbai Congress functionary.
Once the dominant force in Mumbai, the Congress has witnessed a steady slide in recent years. The decision to pitch early for a solo contest, political observers said, is a calculated attempt to rebuild organisational morale and reclaim visibility.

Responding to Gaikwad’s stance, Sena UBT leader and former BMC mayor Kishori Pednekar said the Congress must learn a lesson from the Bihar polls. “If their (Congress) leaders wish to go solo despite facing a such defeat in Bihar, then it’s their choice and no one can stop them from doing it,” said Pednekar.

Sena UBT leader and former MLC Amabadas Danve too echoed Pednekar and said, “Everyone has the right to go solo and if the Congress wishes to contest independently, who can stop them?.”

Elections to the BMC—the richest civic body in the country—are likely to be held in January 2026.

From the homepage

Red Fort blast: NIA makes first arrest, accused Umar Nabi’s close aide nabbed

‘No terror conspiracy or outside interference’ behind Nowgam blast: J-K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha

Eden Gardens Test: India lose at home yet again, Simon Harmer leads South Africa’s famous win