Mumbai BMC elections: Varsha Gaikwad meets Sharad Pawar to discuss poll strategy

MUMBAI: With the BMC elections about 45 days away, Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad on Wednesday met NCP (Sharad Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar to discuss the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

The Congress has already announced that it will contest the civic polls independently while keeping the door open for “like-minded” parties. Speaking to PTI after the meeting, Gaikwad described Pawar as a “natural ally” of the Congress and added that the NCP and Congress were likely to contest together.

“He is a senior leader, and I met him to discuss the civic polls and request him to join us. The BMC elections are important for party workers, which is why the Congress has decided to go solo,” she was quoted by PTI as saying.

Gaikwad added that the Congress and NCP had previously contested the Mumbai civic polls together and expressed hope of forging a joint front again. “As parties that uphold democratic values and the Constitution, we hope to contest this election jointly once again. We had a positive discussion with Sharad Pawar today, and further talks will be held next week,” she said.

She emphasised that the election should focus on core civic concerns such as traffic congestion, poor road conditions, education, water supply, pollution, and corruption. “This election should not be fought on the basis of religion, caste, or language. Mumbai welcomes people from across India, and everyone contributes to its growth,” Gaikwad said.

Commenting on recent political developments, she added, “We extend our best wishes to the Thackeray cousins for coming together to fight the polls. However, no discussion regarding an alliance has taken place with them. We cannot align with those who take the law into their own hands,” she said, referring to the strategy adopted by the MNS and its attacks on various sections of the society, including the Marathi issue.

Gaikwad also hit back at BJP leader Ashish Shelar for criticising the Congress’ strategy. “The Congress does not need advice from Ashish Shelar. We are an independent and capable party. He should focus on managing his own party instead of commenting on us,” she said.

The elections to the 227-member, cash-rich BMC are expected to be held in January 2026. In the 2017 civic polls, the Congress had won just 30 seats.

The Congress and NCP (SP) are partners in the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which also includes the Shiv Sena (UBT). On Tuesday, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party urged the Congress to reconsider its solo plan, warning that such a move would weaken the MVA and benefit the BJP. A meeting between the Uddhav camp and Congress leaders is scheduled later this week, said sources close to both leaders.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena (UBT) cited Rahul Gandhi’s comments on “teaching a lesson” to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, arguing that such a lesson could be delivered only through opposition unity. The editorial also dismissed concerns that including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in the alliance could dent the Congress’ north Indian or Muslim voter base, pointing out that the party suffered a rout in Bihar where neither the Sena (UBT) nor the MNS contested.

(With inputs from PTI)