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A group of leaders from Mumbai Congress presented this demand to Mumbai Congress Chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad. According to them, unless the party contests independently, it will not get the opportunity to contest a sizeable number of seats.
A group of leaders from Mumbai Congress met Mumbai Congress Chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad with their demand to go solo in local polls. (Image: PTI File)
Post the debacle in Maharashtra assembly elections, some Mumbai Congress leaders have put forth a demand to contest the upcoming local body elections — especially the Mumbai civic body elections — alone, without an alliance. A group of leaders from Mumbai Congress presented this demand to Mumbai Congress Chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad. According to them, unless the party contests independently, it will not get the opportunity to contest a sizeable number of seats. They also believe that going solo will help boost the morale of party workers, who have been demotivated after the Maharashtra Assembly election setback.
The civic corporation elections were supposed to take place three years ago, but due to the pending OBC quota issue in the Supreme Court, they were postponed. It is anticipated that once the Supreme Court pronounces its order — likely after April — the elections for the Mumbai civic body and several others in the state may finally be held. In preparation, all political parties have started strategising in advance.
During a recent meeting with Mumbai Congress leaders, Varsha Gaikwad, the President of the Mumbai Congress unit, was presented with the demand for contesting alone by a section of party leaders. However, the Mumbai Congress remains divided on this issue. Another faction believes that contesting in alliance would help the party perform better, as the Shiv Sena (UBT) cadre could assist Congress in regaining lost votes from the state assembly elections.
When this reporter contacted MP Varsha Gaikwad for her response, she stated, “During a meeting regarding preparations for the civic body elections, a group of leaders from Mumbai Congress suggested going solo. However, no decision has been made yet. I will convey this to the high command in Delhi and wait for their decision.” She also dismissed reports suggesting that there was pressure on her from party leaders and workers to contest alone, saying, “The news that I am being pressured to go solo in the civic body elections is not true.”
A senior Mumbai Congress leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, remarked that after Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut hinted at contesting all upcoming corporation elections independently, Congress should reconsider its dependence on alliances. “If a post-poll alliance is required, the party can evaluate the situation at that time. But to boost the morale of party workers, we should contest alone,” the leader said.
Meanwhile, another Congress leader cited the example of the recent Delhi elections, stating, “The Delhi elections have given a clear indication — if we want to take on the BJP effectively, we must contest in an alliance.”
