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Congress Unveils 87 BMC Candidates, Key Alliance with VBA Ahead of Mumbai Polls

The Maharashtra Congress has released its first list of 87 candidates for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, covering key areas across Mumbai. The announcement follows the party's alliance with the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, marking a strategic shift after distancing from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Among the notable contests, Congress has fielded Nazia Ashfaque Siddiqui in Byculla against Geeta Gawli of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena. Party leaders emphasize unity and commitment to democratic values, with 36 women candidates included in the initial nominations.

Key Points: Congress Releases 87 BMC Candidates List, Allies with VBA

  • First list of 87 candidates for BMC polls
  • Alliance with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi
  • 36 women candidates fielded
  • Key contest in Byculla ward
2 min read

Maha Congress releases first list of 87 nominees for BMC polls

Maharashtra Congress announces first list of 87 nominees for BMC polls, including 36 women, and confirms alliance with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi.

"We will fight for every Mumbaikar's right... The journey ahead is demanding, but the people are with us, and we shall win. – Varsha Gaikwad, Mumbai Congress President"

Mumbai, Dec 29

The Congress party on Monday announced the first list of 87 candidates for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. This comes a day after the party announced its alliance with the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi for the civic polls.

The list includes candidates from key areas of the city, including Colaba, Mumbadevi, Malabar Hill, Byculla, Versova, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Dindoshi, Goregaon, Kurla, Kalina, Dharavi, Bandra, Chandivali, Walada, Sion Koliwada, Chembur, Mulund, Bhandup, Malad, Mankhurd, Dahisar, and Kandivali.

The Mumbai unit President Varsha Gaikwad said, "We will fight for every Mumbaikar's right. With unity, organisation, and commitment on the ground, the Mumbai Congress enters this election prepared and determined. We will fight for the common Mumbaikar and to save democracy, along with our allies. The journey ahead is demanding, but the people are with us, and we shall win."

Of the 87 candidates, Congress has fielded 36 women candidates from the Open, SC, and OBC categories. From Ward No. 212 (Byculla), Congress has fielded Nazia Ashfaque Siddiqui, who is set to contest against Geeta Gawli, the elder daughter of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli.

Geeta Gawli has submitted her nomination from Ward No. 212 on the ticket of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena.

The Congress party had earlier announced to go solo, but joined hands with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. The party distanced itself from aligning with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena following its tie-up with the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

Meanwhile, the state Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said, "Congress and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) are natural allies with a common agenda of safeguarding constitutional values. Congress and VBA, in its earlier form of Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh, have fought together before 1999, and the results were such that we swept the majority of Lok Sabha seats. That tradition was discontinued in between. I am happy to announce that we have now decided to fight the Mumbai elections in alliance."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
As a Mumbaikar, my only concern is who will actually fix our roads, drainage, and water supply. All these political calculations and old alliances mean little if the candidate in my ward is not accessible. I hope this list has people who will work, not just make promises.
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Aman W
The fight in Byculla (Ward 212) is going to be very interesting! Nazia Siddiqui vs. Geeta Gawli. One represents a mainstream party, the other comes from a very different political background. This is what makes Mumbai's local politics so unique.
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Sarah B
Respectfully, I have to ask: is announcing 87 candidates at once a sign of strength or desperation? The Congress party's strategy in Maharashtra seems to shift every few months—first solo, then with VBA, ruling out Uddhav's Sena. Voters need consistency and a clear vision for the city's future, not just reactive alliances.
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Vikram M
Good move by Congress. Aligning with Prakash Ambedkar's VBA can consolidate the Dalit and OBC votes which were getting divided. The 1999 reference by Sapkal is a smart way to remind people of a successful partnership. BMC needs a strong opposition. All the best to the candidates! 🙏
K
Kavya N
36 women candidates out of 87! That's a positive step towards better representation. Hope they get the full backing of the party machinery and aren't just fielded in difficult seats. Mumbai's civic issues affect women deeply—from water to safety—so having their voice in the corporation is crucial.

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