Congress leaders meet 'natural ally' Sharad Pawar to discuss tie-up for BMC polls

Days after announcing to contest the Mumbai civic body polls solo and amid ally Shiv Sena (UBT)'s call to not rush into any decision, a Congress delegation on Wednesday discussed a tie-up with its ''natural ally'' and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar. The Congress said it wants to fight the Mumbai municipal elections with ''like-minded parties'' and that a decision about the tie-up will be made soon.

The Congress, however, does not appear to favour the idea of joining hands with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, with Gaikwad saying it cannot tie up with those who take the law into their hands or indulge in intimidation.

After the delegation led by Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad met Pawar, his daughter and NCP (SP) national working president Supriya Sule said the party will support any position taken in the interest of Maharashtra and Mumbai, provided it is within the constitutional framework.

Elections to the municipal corporations in the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are expected to be held in January 2026. In the last civic polls held in the metropolis in 2017, the Congress had performed poorly, winning only 30 seats Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday announced the party would contest the BMC polls independently and field candidates in all 227 wards.

On Wednesday, Gaikwad, along with party MLAs Amin Patel, Aslam Shaikh and Jyoti Gaikwad, met Pawar at his residence 'Silver Oak' here. Gaikwad said Pawar is a natural ally of the Congress.

''He is a senior leader, and I went to meet him to discuss the civic polls and request him to join us. The civic polls are elections for party workers, which is the reason why the Congress has chosen to go solo,'' she told PTI.

The Congress and NCP (SP) are constituents of the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which also has Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) as the third partner.

Speaking to reporters later, Gaikwad stated that the Congress and NCP (SP) share a ''natural alliance'' as both parties uphold democratic and constitutional values.

''Discussions regarding a BMC poll alliance are underway. A final decision will be taken soon,'' she said.

Talks had already been held with the NCP (SP)'s Mumbai unit president, Rakhi Jadhav, and other leaders.

''Congress has always formed alliances on the basis of a common minimum programme. For the BMC elections, we want to fight together with like-minded parties,'' she said.

Responding to questions about the possible inclusion of the Raj Thackeray-led MNS in the alliance, Gaikwad said there had been no discussion on the matter.

''Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had earlier indicated that the local body polls will be fought independently. If Uddhav and Raj Thackeray come together, we welcome it. But there has been no discussion with the Congress, and we cannot join hands with those who take the law into their hands or indulge in intimidation,'' she said.

Gaikwad said the BMC elections should be fought on civic issues rather than caste, region, language or religion.

''Mumbai is facing serious problems of pollution, potholes, traffic congestion, water supply, healthcare, education and corruption within the BMC. We will raise these issues strongly,'' she said.

Congress MLA Amin Patel said the decision to go alone in the local body polls in Mumbai was taken after three-month-long discussions with the grassroots cadre.

''We have to keep our karyakartas (workers) and voters intact in each of the 227 wards. The civic body has been ruled by the (undivided) Shiv Sena-BJP for 30 years. We want our issues to percolate on the ground,'' he told PTI.

Sule, meanwhile, said that a complete picture will become clear within a week. "We will sit again next week for detailed discussions. Our cooperation with the Congress has always continued and will continue'', Sule told reporters when asked about the details of the discussion between Pawar and the Congress delegation. Reacting to Shiv Sena ministers skipping a cabinet meeting on Tuesday over alleged ''poaching'' of its functionaries by the BJP, Sule said such actions prevent deliberation on public issues.

''If you don't get justice in your own government, then step down. Boycotting the Cabinet is not the answer,'' the NCP (SP) leader added.

Sule also raised concerns about crime in Pune and attributed it to population growth, traffic chaos, drug addiction among youth and lack of coordination in administration. She alleged the police are under pressure and needed more systemic support. Sule said she met NCP leader and minister Chhagan Bhujbal in the hospital earlier in the day to check on his health. ''He has been in the ICU for almost a month. I was in touch with his family. He is likely to be discharged today or tomorrow,'' she added.

The Sena (UBT) on Tuesday asked the Congress to exercise restraint and avoid going solo in the BMC elections, cautioning that the move would help the BJP and weaken the MVA.

The editorial in Saamana also made light of the Congress's concerns over a potential dent in its north Indian and Muslim voter base if the Raj Thackeray-led MNS is taken on board, saying the grand old party faced a rout in Bihar despite the Sena (UBT) and MNS not contesting there.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)