The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) appears to be showing cracks ahead of the upcoming civic polls. A section of Congress leaders has opposed the idea of including Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the alliance — a proposal being strongly pushed by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

While Uddhav is keen on joining forces with his estranged cousin Raj for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other municipal elections in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Congress leaders believe such a move could hurt the party’s image beyond Maharashtra. “An alliance with the MNS might negatively impact the Congress party’s performance in other states,” said a senior Congress leader, requesting anonymity.