In a significant political move ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Indian National Congress has officially announced its first list of candidates. The party named 70 candidates on Monday, December 29, 2025, just a day before the deadline for filing nominations closes.
Strategic Alliances Shape the Electoral Battle
The candidate announcement follows closely on the heels of a critical seat-sharing agreement. The Congress has forged an alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), led by former MP Prakash Ambedkar. As part of this pact, the VBA will contest 62 seats in the 227-member BMC house in partnership with the Congress.
Furthermore, the party is also in an alliance with former Maharashtra minister Mahadev Jankar's Rashtriya Samaj Paksh (RSP). The RSP has concurrently released its own first list, comprising six candidates for the upcoming polls.
The High-Stakes BMC Electoral Calendar
The elections for the BMC, which is India's largest and wealthiest civic body with an annual budget exceeding ₹74,000 crore, are set for January 15. The vote counting will take place the very next day, on January 16. It is important to note that these polls are part of a larger electoral exercise covering 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including major cities like Pune, Thane, and Nagpur.
The deadline for candidates to submit their nominations is December 30, making the Congress's announcement a timely strategic step.
Opposition and Ruling Bloc Strategies
The political landscape for the BMC polls is sharply defined. On one side, the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena, has already decided its seat-sharing formula. The BJP will contest 128 seats, while the Shiv Sena will field candidates in 79 seats. The distribution of the remaining seats will be determined based on local equations and candidate suitability.
In a parallel development, the BJP has also released its first list of 66 candidates for the civic polls, featuring a blend of fresh faces, women contenders, and some seasoned leaders.
On the other hand, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP), a constituent of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has declared its candidates for seven seats. Notably, the NCP(SP) has chosen not to enter into an alliance with any other party specifically for the Mumbai civic elections.
The Congress's prompt release of its candidate list, coupled with its strategic partnerships with the VBA and RSP, underscores its concerted effort to mount a strong challenge in the battle for control of Mumbai's prestigious civic body. The stage is now set for a fiercely contested election that will shape the city's governance and political trajectory.
