The decision of the Indian National Congress to go solo in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections (BMC polls) was criticised by its ally in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA). It was Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) that fired a shot at the Grand Old Party for not learning anything from its terrible show in the Bihar Assembly elections 2025.
"Congress has taken this decision despite seeing the decline of the party in Bihar. Whether this decision is right or wrong will be proved in the next few days," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar was quoted as saying by Marathi media reports. Further questioning the decision of the Grand Old Party to go alone in the upcoming civic body elections, Pednekar said the Congress high-ups should revisit the decision in the light of recent performances.
“Their leaders should learn from the overall decline in Bihar. Even after seeing the fall, if they want to contest the elections on their own, then let it be. No one can stop them. Only their leaders can stop them (from fighting alone). Those who are deciding to contest the elections on their own may think it is right. But the big question is whether they, as the party chief, think it is right,” Loksatta quoted Pednekar as saying.
Following a meeting of Congress leaders in Mumbai on Saturday, it was reportedly decided that it will contest the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections alone. Congress party Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala confirmed the decision later while interacting with the media.
Meanwhile, the news report added that the constant communication between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) could be among the factors working against Congress saying yes to an alliance. Reports indicate talks are progressing in the hope of the Thackeray cousins putting up a united front ahead of the elections. The leaders of both the parties are meeting regularly. However, it is being said that Congress is opposed to taking MNS along due to differences with the rather aggressive MNS.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls are expected to take place in early 2026. The last BMC election was held in 2017. No single party won a clear majority in the house with a total of 227 seats. The Congress had managed to win 31 seats back then.