'Lack of coordination, weak campaign': Maharashtra civic poll setback raises questions over Maha Vikas Aghadi's future

PUNE: After suffering a crushing defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections, the civic polls were seen as a make-or-break test for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). However, the lack of coordination among opposition parties and the absence of an intensive campaign have indicated a possible further weakening of the alliance in the long run.

Of the total 288 seats across civic bodies in the state, the Congress has managed to secure the president's post in 27 municipal councils, while Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) were restricted to single-digit tallies.





With elections to 29 municipal corporations scheduled for Jan 15, MVA faces an uphill task in regrouping and mounting an effective challenge against ruling Mahayuti, which is riding on its success in the first phase of the civic polls.

Mahayuti leaders, including CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, were seen touring the state extensively, campaigning even for micro-level elections. Mahayuti members claimed that the opposition appeared to have conceded defeat in several areas.

A former cabinet minister and senior Congress leader told TOI that the party's campaign remained focused on issues such as alleged bogus voters and faulty electoral rolls, instead of addressing pressing concerns like farmers' suicides, unemployment, inflation.

"The party did not have a planned campaign. As opposition, we should have been more vocal about issues such as kharif crop damage and farmers' suicides," he said.

Meanwhile, a section of the Congress party believes the party should assert itself independently and regain its lost ground rather than operate under the shadow of its MVA allies. But Prakash Pawar, a political analyst, told TOI that going solo at this stage may not benefit the Congress.

Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here