Congress Explores Alliance with VBA Ahead of Mumbai Municipal Elections
In a strategic move ahead of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Congress has initiated discussions with Prakash Ambedkar of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. Following significant losses in recent municipal elections, the party is exploring a potential alliance to strengthen its position. The talks have been positive, with both sides emphasizing the need for inclusive governance and urban development. As the elections approach, Congress aims to solidify its strategy amidst challenges from rival coalitions. The BMC elections are set for January 15, with results expected the following day, making this alliance crucial for Congress's electoral prospects.
| Dec 22, 2025, 12:23 IST
Congress Delegation Meets VBA Leader
A Congress delegation met with Prakash Ambedkar, the leader of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), on Sunday to discuss the upcoming Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections. The delegation was led by U.B. Venkatesh, the in-charge of the All India Congress Committee for Mumbai. Varsha Gaikwad, the head of the city unit, stated that the meeting focused on civic governance, major urban challenges, and the need for inclusive development that genuinely serves the people of Mumbai.
Post-Election Strategy Following Setbacks
After suffering significant losses in the municipal council and panchayat elections in Maharashtra, Congress is seeking an alliance with Prakash Ambedkar's VBA for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Both parties have held four meetings in the past ten days to discuss this potential collaboration.
Key Members of the Delegation
The delegation included Sachin Sawant and Aslam Sheikh. The party has also formed a three-member committee comprising Ameen Patel, Madhu Chavan, and Sachin Sawant to facilitate the alliance discussions. Sources indicate that the talks between the two sides have been positive so far, and an announcement regarding the alliance may be made soon.
Significance of the Meeting
Varsha Gaikwad emphasized the importance of the discussions, stating, "This conversation highlighted the significance of constructive dialogue and democratic engagement in the coming days."
Upcoming BMC Elections
BMC Elections and MVA's Recent Losses
The high-stakes elections for 29 municipal corporations, including the BMC, are scheduled for January 15, with vote counting set for January 16.
This follows the results of the two-phase municipal council and panchayat elections, which were announced on Sunday. The ruling Mahayuti coalition, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar, emerged victorious.
According to the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC), the BJP won 117 municipal president positions, Shiv Sena secured 53, and NCP claimed 37. In contrast, Congress, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena-UBT, and Sharad Pawar's NCP-SP won 28, 9, and 7 positions, respectively.
While Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT, and NCP-SP are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), they have struggled to form a coalition for the BMC elections. The Shiv Sena-UBT is attempting to ally with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a move that Congress opposes. Consequently, Congress is actively seeking an alternative alliance for the BMC elections.