Overview
- Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap said the party should contest the Mumbai civic elections on its own and not ally with either Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) or Raj Thackeray’s MNS.
- Jagtap cited backing from the Congress Political Affairs Committee for a solo fight and said the view had been conveyed to Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala.
- The Mumbai Congress clarified that Jagtap’s stance is his personal view, as MRCC president Varsha Gaikwad reiterated that the final call rests with the party leadership.
- Congress media chief Sachin Sawant noted ideological differences with the MNS and said the leadership will take a decision after discussions with local leaders, while Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders questioned Jagtap’s authority to speak for the party.
- Sanjay Raut previously said Shiv Sena (UBT) is discussing a possible MNS entry into the MVA, as the ECI readies civic polls and Eknath Shinde projected Mahayuti gains citing welfare schemes.