Last Updated:
The Congress has also suspended 12 newly elected councillors in the Ambernath municipal council for forming an alliance with the BJP
File photo of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over local BJP units forging post-poll alliances with rival parties and directed that such tie-ups be immediately ended, warning of disciplinary action against leaders who defied party directions.
Fadnavis specifically asked BJP units to withdraw from alliances with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in Akot and the Congress in Ambernath, making it clear that such arrangements were neither approved by the party’s senior leadership nor acceptable.
“I am making it very clear that any alliance with the Congress or the AIMIM will not be accepted. If any local leader has taken such a decision on their own, it is wrong in terms of discipline, and action will be taken,” Fadnavis told a news channel as per PTI, adding that instructions had already been issued to reverse the alliances.
The Congress has also suspended 12 newly elected councillors in the Ambernath municipal council for allegedly forming an alliance with the BJP.
The remarks by Fadnavis came after the BJP entered into post-poll arrangements with rival parties in municipal councils following last month’s civic elections, triggering sharp reactions from allies and the opposition.
In Ambernath, the BJP joined hands with the Congress and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP under the banner of the ‘Ambernath Vikas Aghadi’ to form the municipal council leadership, sidelining ally Shiv Sena. Party councillor Tejashree Karanjule Patil was elected council president on Wednesday, defeating the Sena’s Manisha Walekar.
In the December 20 elections to the 60-member Ambernath civic body, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 27 seats, falling four short of a majority. The BJP won 14 seats, Congress 12, NCP four, and two independents were elected. With the support of one independent, the three-party coalition’s strength rose to 32, crossing the majority mark of 30. The vice-president’s election is due shortly.
The Shiv Sena slammed the move, calling it “unethical and opportunistic”. Sena MLA Dr Balaji Kinikar termed it a betrayal of “coalition dharma” and said it went against the BJP’s national slogan of a “Congress-mukt Bharat”. A BJP corporator, Abhijit Karanjule Patil, appointed group leader, said the alliance was formed to free Ambernath from “corruption and intimidation”, a claim rejected by the Sena.
In Akot, the BJP formed the ‘Akot Vikas Manch’ with the AIMIM, along with support from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Shinde’s Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar’s NCP, Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and the Prahar Janshakti Party. The BJP won 11 seats in the 35-member council, while the AIMIM secured five. With backing from other parties, the alliance’s strength stands at 25.
The BJP’s Maya Dhule was elected mayor, defeating AIMIM’s Firozabi Sikandar Rana, while Ravi Thakur was appointed BJP group leader. The alliance was formally registered with the Akola district administration on Wednesday ahead of deputy mayor and committee elections scheduled for January 13.
Reacting to the developments, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, “What happened in Akot and Ambernath shows frivolous behaviour of the BJP. The party can forge an alliance with anyone to grab power.”
Fadnavis, however, reiterated that such local-level arrangements violated party discipline and would not be tolerated, asserting that action would be initiated against those responsible.
January 07, 2026, 15:01 IST
Read More
