Nerul Clash After Civic Poll Results: BJP Workers Booked, Mahayuti Tensions Rise, Congress Records Lowest BMC

What began as a celebration of civic poll results in Navi Mumbai's Nerul area ended in chaos on Friday evening, exposing serious cracks within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

A clash broke out between workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena after a victory procession passed a Sena campaign office.

According to police, BJP supporters allegedly vandalised the office of a Shiv Sena candidate following a heated exchange of slogans. The situation quickly spiralled out of control, leading to physical violence, property damage and police intervention.

FIR Filed Against 18 Accused

Nerul police have registered an FIR (No. 0053/2026) naming 18 individuals along with several unidentified persons. The accused have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including unlawful assembly, causing hurt, criminal intimidation and offences committed with a common intention. Sections of the Maharashtra Police Act have also been invoked.

The incident took place around 6:30 pm on January 16 at a Shiv Sena campaign office in Sector 18, Nerul (West). The office was being used by Ashwini Vijay Mane, who contested the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections from Ward 23.

How the Situation Escalated

As per the complaint filed by Jeet Sanjay Mane, tensions rose when a victory procession for BJP candidate Rupali Kismat Bhagat passed the Sena office. BJP workers allegedly shouted provocative slogans targeting the Shinde faction and used abusive language against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

When Sena workers objected, the argument quickly turned violent. The mob allegedly attacked people inside the office using metal rods taken from flags and other objects. Mane claimed he was hit on the head, while a driver who tried to stop the fight was also assaulted. The attackers reportedly damaged furniture, glass partitions and CCTV cameras before fleeing.

Police are now examining CCTV footage to identify more people involved. Assistant Police Inspector Sanjay Mohite is leading the investigation.

Congress Faces Historic Collapse in Mumbai

While the Mahayuti alliance celebrated its gains, the Congress faced one of its worst-ever performances in Mumbai's civic elections. The party is expected to win only around 22 seats in the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, marking a steep fall from its earlier standing.

The results underline how far the party has slipped in a city where it was founded in 1885 and once held significant political influence. Despite contesting 152 seats in alliance with smaller parties, the Congress failed to connect with voters on the ground.

Strategy Failures and Leadership Questions

Party insiders admit there was little visible campaigning in Mumbai. There were no major rallies, roadshows or ward-level outreach programmes. Several leaders also questioned the leadership of Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad, saying the party lacked direction and planning under her watch.

Internal disagreements further weakened the campaign. The alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) reportedly suffered as Congress leaders focused only on their own candidates instead of promoting alliance partners.

Infighting, Ticket Disputes and Exodus of Leaders

Long-standing infighting within the Mumbai Congress unit also played a major role in its decline. Several experienced leaders were sidelined during ticket distribution, leading to resentment and defections. Many strong local leaders joined rival parties and contested against Congress candidates.

The party also faced criticism for giving multiple tickets to family members of senior leaders, angering grassroots workers. These decisions further damaged morale and weakened the organisation during a crucial election.

A Missed Chance for Revival

Although the Congress showed some improvement in the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the BMC polls were seen as an opportunity to rebuild its base at the local level. Instead, the election highlighted deep organisational weaknesses and a shrinking voter base.

With vote share steadily falling over the past three elections and expected to drop to single digits this time, the party now faces tough questions about its future in Mumbai.