Maharashtra local body elections: Congress needs no advice from Ashish Shelar, says Varsha Gaikwad as MVA alliance talks continue

In a post on X, Gaikwad, while criticising Shelar's remarks stated that Congress is an independent and capable party and that Shelar should focus on issues within his own party.

She said that those who “stand on two crutches” should not tell others what to do.

जे दोन कुंबड्यांवर आहे ते इतरांना काय सांगत आहे! काँग्रेस पक्षाने काय निर्णय घ्यावा यासाठी आशिष शेलारांच्या सल्ल्याची गरज नाही. काँग्रेस एक स्वतंत्र आणि सक्षम पक्ष आहे. शेलार यांनी त्यांच्या पक्षाचे बघावं.#Mumbai #BMCElections #Congress #MaharashtraPolitics pic.twitter.com/Lah2XyUjIO

— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) November 19, 2025

Gaikwad further said that the Congress does not require guidance from opponents about how it should take decisions.

Ashish Shelar had posted on X, accusing Congress of lacking political strength.

Shelar had stated Congress over its historical role in Maharashtra politics and mocked it for seeking alliances despite claiming to be strong on its own. He also alleged that Congress depends on other parties for support and questioned its ideological positions.

Shelar had further targeted the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, calling it dependent on Congress for survival. He claimed that parties taking support from Congress cannot present themselves as strong, self-reliant forces in Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Meanwhile, Gaikwad met Sharad Pawar, chief of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), on Wednesday to discuss preparations for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

The Congress has already announced that it will contest the Mumbai civic polls independently, while keeping the door open for support from “like-minded” parties. Speaking to PTI, Gaikwad said Pawar was a “natural ally” of Congress.

“He is a senior leader, and I met him to discuss the civic elections and request him to join us. Civic polls are elections for party workers, which is why the Congress has decided to go solo,” she said.

The elections to the 227-member BMC, one of India’s wealthiest civic bodies, are expected in January 2026. In the last BMC elections in 2017, the Congress won only 30 seats, performing poorly in the city.

Congress and NCP (SP) are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, along with Shiv Sena (UBT). However, on Tuesday, the Sena (UBT) urged Congress to rethink its solo strategy, warning it could weaken the MVA and benefit the BJP.