19 January,2026 10:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad on Monday alleged that the candidates were pressured to withdraw. File Pic/X
Days after the conclusion of BMC Election 2026, Congress on Monday alleged money power and pressure tactics in Mumbai civic body polls.
Congress has recorded lowest-ever seat count in the BMC polls.
Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad on Monday alleged that the recent Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections were affected by serious attacks on the democratic process, reported the PTI.
She claimed that candidates were pressured to withdraw from the contest, money was distributed to influence voters, and irregularities took place during vote counting.
Gaikwad made these remarks while speaking to reporters after meeting newly elected Congress corporators in Mumbai.
Congress leader asserted that the party's newly elected councillors are "like 24-carat gold", emphasising their ideological commitment and independence from external pressure.
Referring to the election of 24 Congress councillors, the leader said they were chosen because they genuinely believe in the Congress ideology. "They are 24-carat gold Congress leaders. We do not need to keep them in hotels, nor is there any pressure on them. Our councillors are firmly committed to the party's values and principles," she stated.
In the recently concluded civic elections, the Congress party recorded its lowest-ever performance in the 227-member BMC. Contesting in alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) and RPI (Gavai), the Congress won only 24 seats.
In comparison, the party had secured 31 seats in the 2017 BMC elections.
The alliance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena won a clear majority in the cash-rich civic body. The BJP secured 89 seats, while Shiv Sena won 29 seats.
Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged as a strong force with 65 seats, while its ally, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), won six seats.
Despite the poor electoral performance, Gaikwad praised Congress workers and candidates for standing firm. She said they fought bravely and upheld democratic values despite facing pressure and challenges.
"Even with these obstacles, our workers showed courage and commitment," she said, as per the PTI.
Gaikwad, who heads the Mumbai Congress unit, said the party would ensure that the civic administration works with responsibility, transparency and accountability.
"Our elected representatives will raise the voice of Mumbaikars inside the corporation and protect their rights," she added, the PTI reported.
The Congress leader also appealed to party workers and candidates who lost the election to continue working at the grassroots level and stay connected with the people of Mumbai, the news agency reported,
(with PTI inputs)
