Fadnavis blasts local BJP leaders for alliance with Cong, AIMIM

An unusual alliance has created political storm in Maharastra. The uneven alliance took place between three pilitical parties- BJP, Congress and AIMIM. The state high command of two parties outright rejected this unholy tie up. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday warned of strict actions after reports that some BJP leaders had formed alliances with Congress and AIMIM on two separate seats. "The BJP can never form an alliance with the Congress or the AIMIM. Such alliances are unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Fadnavis said after BJP leaders in Ambernath announced a tie-up with Congress after the recently held civic polls. "If any local BJP leaders have entered into alliances with these parties (AIMIM, Congress) without approval, it is a serious breach of party discipline and strict action will be taken," he said.

The BJP, the Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) had come together to form an alliance named the "Ambernath Vikas Aghadi." The alliance comprised of 14 BJP councillors, 12 Congress councillors, four from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), and one independent corporator. With the inclusion of the municipal president's post, the alliance's strength has risen to 32, giving the BJP a comfortable majority in the municipal council.Backed by this alliance, BJP leader Tejashree Karanjule was elected President (Mayor) of the Ambernath Municipal Council. This outcome is particularly significant because, after the election results, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) had emerged as the single largest party. Despite that numerical advantage, the Shinde faction was sidelined from power through post-poll political manoeuvering.Local BJP leader Gulabrao Karanjule Patil stated that the alliance was formed in the larger interest of making Ambernath a fear-free and corruption-free city. He alleged that dur

In the Akot municipal council, the BJP and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, parties with different ideologies, joined hands. The marriage of convenience was used by the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) to attack the BJP, as well as the AIMIM and Congress. In Akot, the BJP formed the ‘Akot Vikas Manch’ with the AIMIM and support from multiple parties, winning the mayor’s post with BJP’s Maya Dhule elected. The alliance was formally registered with the district administration ahead of deputy mayor and committee elections scheduled for January 13.

As the controversy blew out of proportion, the Congress cracked down by suspending 12 newly elected councillors in the Ambernath municipal council. The party also removed its block president, Pradip Patil, for allying with the BJP without approval from the leadership. The Maharashtra Congress also dissolved its Ambernath block unit and dubbing the alliance "completely wrong action" by the local leadership.