Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 16: The Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA), which stood firm during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, appears to be facing strains ahead of the upcoming local body polls. The Congress on Saturday formally announced that it will contest the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections on its own strength, a decision declared by Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala after a meeting with party office-bearers in Mumbai.

Chennithala said that Congress loyalists in Mumbai would not shift their votes elsewhere. However, he noted that joining hands with the MNS could trigger discontent among Dalit, Muslim and North Indian voters—key segments of the party’s support base. Citing this, he asserted that the decision to go solo was both strategic and necessary.

In a sharp attack on the Centre, Chennithala accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of “misusing the Election Commission,” adding that the victory in Bihar was “a victory of the Election Commission itself.” He stated that the Congress would launch public awareness campaigns on this issue.

Calling for renewed determination among party workers, Maharashtra Congress president Harschvardhan Sapkale urged cadres to shed negativity and prepare for a spirited fight in the upcoming civic elections. “Victory and defeat are part of elections. Power or no power—we must not stop. Congress workers must resume work with full strength to ensure a strong performance in the BMC polls,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Kolhapur’s Chandgad, following the announcement of an alliance between the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, senior leader Sharad Pawar offered a cautious remark. He stated that the party does not take a unified stance on alliances for local self-government bodies at the state level. Instead, he said, local leadership at the taluka level has been authorised to take appropriate decisions for their areas, subtly passing the ball into their court.

Reaffirming Congress’ resilience, Chennithala said the party has historically risen stronger after multiple setbacks. He dismissed claims that the party would crumble or fragment after electoral defeats, asserting that the Congress “will never disappear, but will re-emerge with renewed strength.”