The Congress party faces an awkward situation in the BMC elections after its ally, the VBA, returned 16 seats it was allocated. Unable to find suitable candidates on the last day for nominations, the VBA asked the Congress to nominate individuals. The Congress, now contesting 143 seats instead of 139, will support independent candidates in these 16 seats, a move insiders suggest may lead to losses. This alliance aims to consolidate Muslim and Dalit votes.