The Mumbai Congress unit has taken a significant step towards the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections by announcing its first list of candidates. The party revealed names for 87 out of the 150 seats it intends to contest, a move immediately shadowed by internal dissent and fears of rebellion following the denial of tickets to several loyalists.
Kin of Leaders and Former Corporators Dominate List
The released list features a notable presence of relatives of established Congress figures and former corporators. Among them are the son, sister, and nephew of Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh. Furthermore, the daughter of Rajya Sabha member Chandrakant Handore has also secured a ticket. The party's spokesperson, Sureshchandra Rajhans, is set to contest from the Magathane area.
This trend extended to several former corporators who successfully lobbied for tickets for their spouses or family members. However, this very practice of accommodating kin became a source of friction, as other long-time party workers and some former corporators themselves were denied nominations, leading to palpable unrest within the party ranks.
Seats on Hold and Alliance Strategy
In a strategic move, the Congress has decided to keep a number of seats undecided. Party insiders indicate this is a calculated pause, anticipating potential rebellions within the ruling parties and their own alliance partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Congress hopes to attract disgruntled leaders from these groups who may join their fold seeking tickets.
Notably, the Congress, which is part of the MVA at the state level, has chosen to contest the BMC polls independently. It has, however, forged a separate alliance with smaller parties for this civic battle. This coalition includes the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), which has been allocated 62 seats, the Mahadev Jankar-led Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, and the Communist Party of India (CPI).
Internal Dissent and Strategic Shifts
A clear example of the internal discord emerged in Bandra West. Here, former corporator Asif Zakaria could not contest as the seat was reserved for women. He refused to field a female family member citing their lack of active political involvement and instead proposed a seasoned party worker. The Congress's reluctance to accept this suggestion led to a delay, with the candidate for this seat only being finalized late on Monday.
Senior leaders like AICC secretary Sachin Sawant were engaged in marathon discussions with smaller alliance partners until late Monday, even as they closely monitored political developments within the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. A Congress leader framed the solo strategy as a proactive shift, stating the party is "no longer willing to remain a passive participant in broader coalitions" and aims to reshape its role and alliances to capture available political space.
The announcement of this first list sets the stage for a high-stakes civic election in Mumbai, with the Congress attempting to balance internal expectations, strategic alliances, and a renewed push for relevance in the city's political landscape.
