Congress to Go Solo in Mumbai Civic Body Polls, Takes on BJP and Shiv Sena UBT

Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala announced on December 20, 2025, that the party will contest the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently, citing ideological differences over Shiv Sena (UBT)'s potential alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The decision, made after a meeting reviewing preparations for BMC and 28 other civic bodies, marks a fracture in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition alliance ahead of the high-stakes polls.

Chennithala, alongside Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad, emphasised that Congress cannot align with MNS due to its past aggressive stance against North Indian migrants, which conflicts with the party's secular values and substantial voter base among diverse communities in Mumbai. He stated the party is ready to challenge both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance and Shiv Sena (UBT), while pledging to release a manifesto and a "chargesheet" highlighting corruption, pollution, and civic hospital failures under the current administrator-ruled BMC.

The announcement follows growing proximity between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, with reports of advanced seat-sharing talks for the BMC's 227 wards—potentially allocating 120-125 to Shiv Sena (UBT) and 80-90 to MNS. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have indicated they will contest against Congress if needed, straining MVA unity that had held during the 2024 assembly elections.

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The BMC elections, governing India's richest civic body with a multi-thousand-crore budget, are scheduled for January 15, 2026, alongside 28 other municipal corporations, following delays and a Supreme Court directive. This independent stance by Congress could lead to a fragmented opposition vote, potentially benefiting the ruling coalition in the financially and politically crucial contest.

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