Congress's Shock BMC Alliance Stuns Mumbai Cadre Ahead of Elections

• Indian National Congress reversed its plan for BMC elections, forming last-minute alliances instead of contesting all 227 wards independently.
• Alliances include Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) with 62 wards, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) with 10, and Republican Party of India (Gavai faction) with 2.
• The centralized decision, made without consulting Mumbai leadership, left local cadre "stunned" and frustrated, especially giving away key wards.
• Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad cited "protecting democracy" and "safeguarding the Constitution" as reasons for the alliance.
• Critics question giving wards in non-Dalit areas to VBA; BJP calls it a "face-saver" due to Congress's lack of candidates.

Why It Matters: Congress's last-minute BMC alliance shocks cadre, revealing strategic shift and organizational challenges.