The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is questioning the existence and relevance of the INDIA alliance after a strong showing in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, has surged ahead in the BMC elections, leading in a significant number of wards.

The BJP's strong performance in the BMC elections has provided ammunition for the party to attack the INDIA alliance. BJP leaders are questioning the unity and effectiveness of the opposition coalition, suggesting that the BMC results reflect a lack of public confidence in the alliance. Chandrakant Patil, a Maharashtra minister and BJP leader, questioned the alliance between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, suggesting voters saw it as driven by personal interests rather than public welfare.

The INDIA alliance, formed in July 2023, is a coalition of 27 political parties, including the Indian National Congress, aimed at challenging the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, the alliance has faced internal challenges and questions about its cohesiveness. Congress party sources had indicated that the INDIA alliance was effectively over due to poor optics and limited political gains. The Congress leadership was reportedly considering tactical state-level tie-ups instead. Some political analysts believe that an anti-Modi platform is not enough to hold the INDIA alliance together.

The BMC elections were held after delays due to the pandemic and legal disputes. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance crossed the halfway mark in the BMC elections. The Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS combine trailed behind the BJP-led alliance.

The BJP has secured a decisive victory in the recent local body elections in Maharashtra. The Mahayuti coalition has collectively won a significant number of positions in municipal council presidencies. Union ministers have commended the Mahayuti's achievements, attributing the victory to the public's faith in the BJP's development-oriented policies.

The results of the BMC elections and other recent electoral outcomes have raised questions about the future of the INDIA alliance. While the alliance was formed to provide a united front against the BJP, internal divisions and a lack of consistent electoral success have led to doubts about its viability. The BJP is likely to continue to use its recent victories to undermine the INDIA alliance and portray it as a weak and ineffective opposition.