Overview
- Mumbai Congress formally announced an independent contest for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, with Varsha Gaikwad instructing workers to prepare for all 227 wards and Ramesh Chennithala backing the move.
- The BMC election, covering 227 seats in India’s wealthiest civic body, is expected in January 2026.
- Senior party voices present the strategy as a bid to rebuild the organisation and reclaim urban space, with the recent Bihar defeat cited by insiders as reinforcing the shift.
- The move exposes strain within the Maha Vikas Aghadi, as Congress resists any understanding with Raj Thackeray’s MNS due to ideological and voter-base concerns.
- Reactions were swift: Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders questioned the decision, BJP’s Ashish Shelar mocked Congress’ capacity to go solo, and an NCP (SP) spokesperson warned of an anti-BJP vote split.