BMC Elections 2025: NCP (SP) May Go Solo, Sharad Pawar Hints To Contest Without INDIA Bloc

In another setback to the INDIA alliance, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar hinted on Tuesday that his party may contest the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Pawar explained that the alliance was formed with a focus on national elections and that there had been no discussions regarding state or local elections.

"There has never been any discussion on state and local elections in the INDIA alliance. It is only for national-level elections," Pawar said.

Photo Credit: PTI

The veteran politician added that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would meet soon to decide whether to contest the civic elections together or separately. "In the upcoming municipal elections in Maharashtra, everyone will decide in the next 8-10 days whether we will fight together or alone," he explained.

Pawar's comments come shortly after Shiv Sena (UBT) announced its decision to contest municipal elections in Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, and other districts independently. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut clarified the party's stance, saying, "In an alliance, workers of individual parties don't get opportunities, which hampers organisational growth. We will contest on our strength."

Raut also criticised the Congress party for failing to appoint a convenor for the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra. "As the largest party in the alliance, it was Congress's responsibility to convene a meeting," he stated.

The NCP (SP) leader also expressed his support for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ahead of the Delhi elections, taking a jab at the Congress in the process.

Raut's comments extended to senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who had blamed allies for the loss in the Maharashtra assembly elections. "After the Lok Sabha elections, not a single meeting of the INDIA bloc was held," Raut added.

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the MVA alliance suffered a significant defeat, securing just 46 seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) won 20 seats, the Congress 16, and the NCP (SP) obtained 10 seats.