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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

Congress tries a ‘third’ hand

New Delhi: The BJP latest manoeuvre in elevating Nitin Nabin as the party’s national working president has had consequences in Maharashtra’s two biggest cities - Mumbai and Pune. The result has left the Congress party in a curiously ambivalent mood: quietly pleased by the opportunities created, yet wary of the turbulence ahead. In Maharashtra, the immediate beneficiary of the BJP’s move is Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. The BJP’s organisational signal has strengthened its hand in the forthcoming...

Congress tries a ‘third’ hand

New Delhi: The BJP latest manoeuvre in elevating Nitin Nabin as the party’s national working president has had consequences in Maharashtra’s two biggest cities - Mumbai and Pune. The result has left the Congress party in a curiously ambivalent mood: quietly pleased by the opportunities created, yet wary of the turbulence ahead. In Maharashtra, the immediate beneficiary of the BJP’s move is Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. The BJP’s organisational signal has strengthened its hand in the forthcoming elections to the BMC, Asia’s richest civic body, and in Pune, the state’s second city. For Shinde, whose legitimacy still rests on a contentious split with the party founded by Bal Thackeray, any reinforcement from the BJP’s formidable machine is welcome. For Uddhav Thackeray, who leads the rival Shiv Sena (UBT), the message is ominous. His party, once the natural custodian of Marathi pride in Mumbai, now faces the prospect of being squeezed between a BJP-backed Sena on one side and a revived Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by his cousin, Raj Thackeray, on the other. Shotgun Alliance That pressure has forced Thackeray into an awkward embrace with his estranged cousin. A reunion of the Thackeray clans, long rumoured and often aborted, has unsettled Thackeray’s MVA ally - the Congress. Signals from the party’s high command suggest a calculated distancing from Shiv Sena (UBT), particularly in Mumbai, where Congress leaders are exploring arrangements with smaller parties rather than committing to a Thackeray-led front. In Pune, the party’s pragmatism is even more pronounced. Quiet efforts are under way to entice Ajit Pawar’s NCP, currently aligned with the BJP, into a tactical understanding for the civic polls. Control of the municipal corporation, even without ideological harmony, is the immediate prize. For the embattled Congress, the civic polls offer a chance to do two things at once. First, by keeping a degree of separation from the Uddhav–Raj combine, it can strengthen its own organisational sinews, which have atrophied after years of playing junior partner. Secondly, it can allow the BJP–Shinde Sena and the Thackeray cousins to polarise the Marathi vote between them, leaving Congress to position itself as a ‘third pole.’ Such a strategy is particularly tempting in Mumbai. A tie-up with outfits like Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) could help Congress consolidate minority, Dalit and tribal voters, constituencies it believes are more reliably mobilised without the ideological baggage of Thackeray’s Sena (UBT). Severing or loosening ties with Shiv Sena (UBT) would also simplify Congress’s messaging ahead of assembly elections elsewhere. In states such as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, where polls loom next year, the party has historically preferred alliances that allow it to emphasise secular credentials and oppose the BJP without accommodating overtly Hindu nationalist partners. Mixed Signals The Congress’ internal signals, however, are mixed. When talk of a Thackeray reunion resurfaced, Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar publicly welcomed it, arguing that Raj Thackeray’s limited but distinct vote share could help consolidate Marathi sentiment. Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad was more circumspect, hinting that alliances with parties prone to street-level militancy deserved scrutiny. Wadettiwar swiftly clarified that decisions would rest with the party’s senior leadership, underscoring the centralised nature of Congress’s calculus. In Pune, meanwhile, senior leaders are reportedly engaged in discreet conversations with Ajit Pawar, whose defection from his uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP last year still reverberates through state politics. The outline of a broader strategy is becoming visible. Congress appears content to let the BJP and Shinde’s Sena draw on non-Marathi and anti-dynasty voters, the Thackerays appeal to wounded Marathi pride while it quietly rebuilds among minorities and lower-caste groups. Mumbai Approach Mumbai’s demography lends some plausibility to this approach. Alongside its Marathi core, the city hosts millions of migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, a constituency that has increasingly gravitated towards the BJP. Raj Thackeray’s strident rhetoric against North Indians, once electorally potent, now risks narrowing his appeal and complicating Uddhav Thackeray’s efforts to broaden his base. None of this guarantees success for Congress. Playing the ‘third pole’ is a delicate art. Yet, the Congress, struggling for survival, has few illusions about sweeping victories. Its aim, for now, is more modest – it is to survive, to remain relevant, and to exploit the cracks opened by its rivals’ rivalries. In Maharashtra’s civic chessboard, that may be advantage enough.

Despite deep schisms, MVA grins in public

Marathi Abhyas Kendra members hold a protest against the closure of Marathi medium schools of the Municipal Corporation in Mumbai on Thursday. | Pic PTI
Marathi Abhyas Kendra members hold a protest against the closure of Marathi medium schools of the Municipal Corporation in Mumbai on Thursday. | Pic PTI
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Mumbai: As the state hurtles towards the second and more critical round of civic bodies polls, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) appears rattled though projecting a smiling face in public as internal differences spill out.

 

The prime reason for this is the Congress’ decision - to go solo in Mumbai and to leave alliance-making in other civic bodies to the concerned local leadership – that has sent disconcerted partners Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (SP).

 

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The ruling Mahayuti allies are gleeful at the Opposition’s discomfiture that bared old fault-lines and created fresh fears at a crucial time when unity was most needed as a strong political weapon.

 

Nonchalant Congress leaders reiterate that the step was neither abrupt nor hostile, and taken in view of multiple factors, including ideological reasons, but it had not shut the doors on any ally.

 

Justifying the contentions, he said the Congress had first approached the NCP (SP) over a month ago to explore a tie-up, and its meaningful response is awaited.

 

Besides, SS (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut personally met the party’s central leadership in New Delhi this week, hoping to salvage the situation and cobble up a coalition.

 

No Interference

The message from the Congress central brass was clear: the party high command would not interfere for micro-level civic alliances and it has fully empowered the state unit to decide tie-ups based on local political arithmetic. While the ‘hands-off’ stance has boosted the local Congress’ Mumbai strategy, it has further unsettled the allies.

 

Closely monitoring the developments, a senior NCP (SP) cautioned that ‘such unilateral tactical decisions’ must not result in forfeiting the secular votes or alienating backward communities that form the backbone of the MVA’s social coalition and its traditional support base.

 

Contending that the Congress’ was merely ‘posturing’ to bargain hard, the NCP (SP) silently apprehends – “if such uncertainties are prolonged too much, these could mar the MVA’s overall prospects, both in Mumbai and beyond”.

 

Existential Election

The mood in Shiv Sena (UBT), is grim, but resolute, with a senior Deputy Leader admitting that the coming BMC election is ‘existential’, for the party and the ‘Thackeray’ surname.

 

Ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray’s SS(UBT) and its new ally, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) headed by cousin Raj Thackeray, the contest is both about safeguarding its legacy as also bagging power.

 

After ignoring each other for nearly two decades, the Thackeray cousins are now unitedly struggling to reclaim their traditional bastions and the support of the ‘Marathi Manoos’– albeit under highly changed circumstances.

  

“Nevertheless, this is probably the last opportunity to secure our future. The rival (ruling) camp has grotesque money power, social media reach and sway over the administrative machinery. We have six decades old inter-personal bonds with the Mumbaikars, the enduring charisma and iconic image of Balasaheb Thackeray,” said the Deputy Leader.

 

Adding to this are Uddhav Thackeray’s enhanced personal credibility after his stint as CM during the Covid-19 Pandemic, and most grudgingly admit that it broadened the SS (UBT)’s acceptability among minorities and marginalised communities.

 

“Plus, the party’s contributions to the city and state for so long, the support of the loyalists who have not deserted the party will now be severely tested, particularly with the Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance seeking to consolidate the fragmented Marathi vote under vastly changed political circumstances,” he declared.

 

Wooed by multiple parties, the confused Marathi voter is wary of all – SS (UBT), MNS, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – wondering who would prove to be his true ‘messiah’ – thus raising stakes for all.

 

For the MVA the sheer challenge is – effectively juggle political ambitions with poll arithmetic strategy – or face the electoral battlefield divided and risk oblivion.


Tatkare hopeful of continuing with Mahayuti

State NCP chief Sunil Tatkare asserted on Thursday that no BJP leader has said that his party will be kept out of the Mahayuti alliance for the upcoming civic polls.


He was talking to reporters after NCP head and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar discussed the party's strategy with his senior colleagues for the local body elections. Besides, Tatkare and other leaders, NCP's national working president Pratik Patel also took part in the discussion.


Replying to questions, Tatkare said no BJP leader has said that NCP will be kept out of the Mahayuti alliance for the civic polls. The coalition comprises the BJP, NCP, and the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.


When told about Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's remarks that the BJP and NCP will contest the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal polls independently, he said, “Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad don't constitute Maharashtra.”


“The CM has said both parties are strong in these two cities, and if we contest together, we give room to other parties to take advantage. Since civic elections have not been held for nine years, our workers may cross over to the Opposition camp if they do not get a chance to contest,” Tatkare said.


To questions concerning the BJP's opposition to NCP leader Nawab Malik in Mumbai, Tatkare said he has been appointed in charge of an internal committee for election management in the metropolis.


“When it comes to talking to our allies, I am there as the state unit chief. Ajit Pawar and Pratik Patel will step in when required,” he said.


Mahayuti has arrived at consensus on 150 of 227 civic seats: Satam

The ruling Mahayuti has reached consensus on 150 of the 227 seats in Mumbai for the January 15 civic polls, senior BJP leader Ameet Satam said on Thursday.


Discussions on the remaining 77 seats are expected to be completed within the next two to three days, added Satam, the BJP's Mumbai chief.


"We have arrived at consensus on 150 seats. Talks on the remaining 77 seats are ongoing and will be concluded soon. The final decision on these seats will be taken with the concurrence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde," he said while addressing a press conference along with industries minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant.


The objective of the seat-sharing formula is to provide corruption-free civic administration in Mumbai, Satam added.


"It is not important who contests how many seats. The Mahayuti will contest all 227 seats and win more than 150 seats, ensuring that a Mahayuti mayor is elected. The BJP, Shiv Sena and RPI are committed to fulfilling the aspirations of Mumbaikars," he said.

 

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