Thread by @MandarSawant184

Bhau Torsekar on the problem Congress could pose to the Sena in BMC election (in Marathi)



#BMC2022

Bhau rightly points out that the appointment of trade union leader Bhai Jagtap as Mumbai Congress chief is a good move as he is an ambitious leader, unlike the earlier chiefs.
Cong which used to get anti Sena vote has lost it to the BJP in 2017 in Mumbai, as BJP is oppn to Sena

Bhai Jagtap is talking of Cong fighting on its own in BMC. There could be three reasons why he is talking like that,
1. Congress has lost strength in Mumbai. From 70 odd wards won in 2007 to 50 odd in 2012 and finally 30 odd in 2017, it has been a downward graph.

Cong is longer number 2 party in Mumbai. It is number 3 party in Mumbai after BJP and Sena. It has lost its anti Sena vote in Mumbai to the BJP.
The rise of Modi and Yogi has ensured that Hindi bhashik vote which was Congress mainstay is now with the BJP.

2. It is pressure tactic on the Sena to get more seats in case the Central leadership asks the Mumbai Cong unit to ally with Sena. Cong settling for less than 100 seats (total 227) may he humiliating for the Congress. So the blackmailing tactic could help it get more seats

3. Third point is my opinion Congress could be fighting separately to deny the anti Sena vote in the BMC election. This helps the Sena sail through in few wards due to vote division of anti incumbency votes. Also Cong gains a few seats to add muscle to its post poll position.

Though it is unlikely as Cong cannot speak beyond a point against the Sena in BMC, while being in bed with Sena in the state govt. BJP will use the opportunity to taunt Congress and dare it to come out of the MVA govt. Power hungry Congress leaders will eat crumbs to be in power