Mumbai: Factionalism at play in Congress's city unit, allege workers

Varsha Gaikwad and Bhai Jagtap after the former was named Mumbai Congress president in June. Pic/Sameer Markande

While two major political parties in the state - the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) - are smartingfrom rebellion, all is not well with the Congress. Factionalism in the grand old party's Mumbai unit has seen a rise and no executive committee meeting has been held since the appointment of the new party president last month. Former minister Varsha Gaikwad was appointed Mumbai Congress chief on June 9, replacing MLC Bhai Jagtap.

"Traditionally, the Mumbai Congress Committee holds a meeting after the appointment of a new president. It has been more than 20 days since the new president was appointed, but the executive meeting is yet to be held," a source said. A Congress worker said, "It is not a rule that the meeting has to happen; it is akin to a get-together so the president understands the functioning of the committee."

He added, "Also, the executive body is due to change. New members will be appointed. But this will take a few months as state-level leaders will decide on the appointments. Till then, the current executive body will be intact." An office-bearer of the party said, "Until 2017, the Congress was the second-largest party in the civic body. It used to be first in terms of the number of MLAs and MPs. But the sweeping change that took over the nation was witnessed in Mumbai too. There is also a lot of division within the Mumbai Congress."

"Many members feel that factionalism is one of the reasons why the executive meeting was not held," he added. The office-bearer said, "Although Gaikwad has held meetings involving various cells of the party, the executive body is the most important group. It comprises 171 members, including the president."

June 9
Day Varsha Gaikwad became Mumbai Congress chief