3 minutes of readingBombayFebruary 9, 2026 08:24 pm IST
Despite a largely disappointing performance in the Zilla Parishad elections, the results of which were announced on Monday, Congress has signaled that it can chart an independent political course in Maharashtra, even as talks of realignments and mergers among other opposition parties gather pace.
Of the 12 Zilla Parishads that went to the polls, the Congress emerged as the largest party only in Latur. While the party improved its performance in Latur, Kolhapur and Sangli, it failed to open its account in key districts like PuneSatara, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.
In Sangli, the Congress is expected to share power with the NCP (SP), which has emerged as the largest party. In Kolhapur, where the Congress came second, it is set to play the role of main opposition in the Zilla Parishad. Despite its position as the largest party in Latur, the Congress is unlikely to secure the post of Zilla Parishad president as the ruling Mahayuti is expected to surpass the majority mark.
Reacting to the results, Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal. He said the party had participated in rural local body elections largely on its own to strengthen its organizational base.
“The Congress contested the local self-government elections across the state independently to broaden its ideology and organizational base. In some places, alliances or fronts were formed at the local level after assessing the political situation. Since these elections belong to the grassroots workers, they should be given maximum opportunities, which is not possible when alliances are formed. People have given a positive mandate to the Congress ideology in these elections,” Sapkal said, adding that the party has emerged as the largest opposition force. in the state.
Congress’ stance comes amid discussions about a possible merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party.
Congress sources have indicated that the party is prepared to go it alone in Maharashtra, with an eye on the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Story continues below this ad.
“We cannot go with the BJP, that is for sure. As for the issue of merger between the two NCPs, we have not talked about it nor have we been informed of anything. There is still time till 2029, and decisions will be taken after assessing the political situation then,” Sapkal said.
Explaining the evolution of the party’s electoral strategy, Sapkal pointed out the recent changes in alliance politics. He said that while the Maha Vikas Aghadi was formed under specific circumstances in 2019 and the Congress contested the 2024 Assembly elections as part of the alliance, the approach differed in the local body polls.
“However, in the local self-government elections, the Congress contested independently in many places. The Congress Party also had new allies like Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, OBC Bahujan Aghadi and RSP. In these elections, the Congress has emerged as the largest opposition party in the state,” he said.
