Congress Crisis: Call for Gaikwad's Resignation After Historic Defeat in Mumbai Civic Polls

Following a historic low in the Mumbai civic polls, factions within Congress demand city unit president Varsha Gaikwad's resignation. The party faced a significant loss, tumbling from 31 seats to 24, failing to win alongside allies like VBA and RPI, while BJP gained control of the BMC.

The Congress party has erupted into discord following its historically low performance in the Mumbai civic polls, with calls for the resignation of city unit president Varsha Gaikwad. The factional divide emerged starkly as Congress's seat count dropped from 31 to 24. Gaikwad's leadership came under scrutiny after the party's decision to contest the elections independently, not aligning with Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents and partnering with VBA, RSP, and RPI instead, which resulted in a total wipeout for their allies.

The elections handed substantial victories to the BJP, which secured 89 seats, seizing control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation from the Thackeray family, marking the end of their decades-long reign. Shiv Sena managed to win 29 seats, leaving the party grappling for a strong opposition role with Shiv Sena (UBT) capturing 65, MNS 6, AIMIM 8, NCP 3, the Samajwadi Party 2, and NCP (SP) just 1 seat.

Former Mumbai Congress president Bhai Jagtap has been vocal about Gaikwad's need to step down on moral grounds, citing failures in candidate selection and transparency issues related to an internal survey that was allegedly conducted but not shown to him. As internal tensions rise, the party faces an uncertain path forward in one of India's most pivotal urban political arenas.

(With inputs from agencies.)