Congress Weighs Independent Run in Maharashtra Civic Elections

The Indian National Congress is considering contesting the forthcoming civic polls in Maharashtra independently, according to Ramesh Chennithala, the All India Congress Committee’s state-in-charge. During a press briefing on Monday, Chennithala stated that while party workers lean towards running solo, a definitive decision will be made after local consultations with party leadership.

Chennithala addressed the media following a meeting of the state political affairs committee, which included Harshawardhan Sapkal, the President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). He noted, “It is the wish of workers to go solo, but no decision is final yet. All Congress leaders lean toward contesting alone. However, any decision, whether to go solo or ally, will be made after talks with the state party president and Mumbai unit chief Varsha Gaikwad.”

While discussions about a potential alliance with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) remain unconfirmed, Chennithala emphasized that the Congress has not engaged in talks regarding such an alignment. “We have no alliance with MNS and no talks have been held. No one has approached us about including the MNS in the MVA,” he stated.

Earlier, Sanjay Raut, a Member of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), alleged that the MNS desires Congress’s involvement in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Chennithala refuted this claim, asserting that electoral strategies will focus on local issues dictated by regional leaders.

Chennithala also criticized the ruling Mahayuti coalition for allegedly diverting funds meant for essential welfare programs. He pointed to a reported diversion of Rs 410 crore from the social justice department and Rs 335 crore from the tribal development department for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. He claimed that such actions undermine welfare initiatives aimed at supporting Scheduled Castes.

In addition to the funding concerns, Chennithala condemned the government’s relief package of Rs 31,628 crore for farmers affected by recent rains, describing it as insufficient. He highlighted that this package does not meet the demands of farmers and criticized the inadequacy of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) component.

Chennithala also raised alarms about threats to privatize the state electricity board, alleged support for the “coal mafia,” and neglect of pressing issues such as unemployment and agrarian distress. He called for stronger condemnation from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar regarding inflammatory statements made by some MLAs.

On the topic of the Maratha-OBC quota controversy, he accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engaging in divisive politics and reiterated Congress’s commitment to inclusive development.

According to PTI, MVA leaders, including Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT), along with Congress’s Balasaheb Thorat and Varsha Gaikwad, are set to meet with Maharashtra’s State Election Commission in Mumbai on Tuesday to discuss arrangements for the upcoming elections.

Last month, the Supreme Court directed the State Election Commission to complete the long-pending local body polls, which have been stalled since 2022, by January 31, 2026.