After a disappointing performance in Maharashtra’s recent municipal council and nagar panchayat elections, the Congress has begun exploring new political equations ahead of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. The party has opened discussions with Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA), signalling a possible new alliance in Mumbai’s civic battle.

Over the past ten days, leaders from both sides have held multiple rounds of meetings to assess the feasibility of joining forces. On Sunday, a Congress delegation met Prakash Ambedkar to further these talks and exchange views on cooperation for the upcoming BMC election. Party sources described the discussions as constructive and forward-looking.

The Congress delegation included senior leaders such as UB Venkatesh, Sachin Sawant and Aslam Shaikh. In addition, the party has set up a three-member coordination committee comprising Amin Patel, Madhu Chavan and Sachin Sawant to handle alliance negotiations and strategy.

Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad said the meeting focused on strengthening democratic dialogue and exploring options for broader political engagement in the run-up to the civic polls. While no formal announcement has been made yet, sources indicated that both parties are keeping the door open for an alliance.

The renewed outreach comes as preparations begin for elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the influential BMC. Polling is scheduled for January 15, with counting set for January 16, making alliance decisions time-sensitive.

The Congress’s move follows the recent civic poll results, where the ruling Mahayuti alliance dominated municipal councils and nagar panchayats across the state. The BJP-led combine secured a large majority of president posts, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) struggled to match its performance.

Within the MVA, coordination issues remain unresolved for the BMC elections. While Shiv Sena (UBT) is pursuing talks with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the Congress has reservations about that arrangement. This difference has pushed the Congress to look beyond the traditional alliance framework and consider alternative partners like the VBA.