Congress Goes Solo in Mumbai Civic Polls, Jolting Uddhav-Raj Thackeray

• Congress confirms its decision to contest Mumbai municipal elections independently, creating tension for Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray.
• Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala reiterated the party's firm stance on going solo after a key meeting in Mumbai.
• This move is seen as a major setback for the Thackeray faction, which had allied with MNS and had Sharad Pawar's faction ready to join.
• The Thackeray brothers fear losing crucial minority votes, which previously aided the Thackeray faction in Lok Sabha elections, helping them win 3 out of 6 Mumbai seats.
• The decision complicates the Maha Vikas Aghadi's strategy for the upcoming Mumbai civic polls.

Why It Matters: Congress's solo bid in Mumbai civic polls creates significant challenges for Uddhav and Raj Thackeray.