In a new twist to the political drama unfolding in Maharashtra’s Ambernath Municipal Council post civic polls, 12 newly elected Congress councillors who had formed an alliance with the BJP and suspended by their parent party, have now joined the BJP.
Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party president, Ravindra Chavan, announced the development at the BJP office late Wednesday night, and insisted that the move was driven by a “shared commitment to development” and not motivated by power.
“The people elected these councillors and they had promised development to the citizens. They have come with us because the government is working in a dynamic manner and is capable of delivering justice and development to the people,” he said.
Defending the councillors’ move, Chavan said it reflected people’s growing confidence in the BJP-led government. “They believe that only through the BJP can the promises made to the people be fulfilled effectively,” he said, adding that the party would continue to focus on governance and development at the local body level.
However, on the BJP joining hands with the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM in the Akot Municipal Council in Akola district, Chavan said a show-cause notice has been issued to their Akot MLA, Prakash Bharsakhale.
Chavan noted that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed strong displeasure over the role of local BJP leaders in the matter and made it clear that the party would not tolerate actions that go against its stated policies.
Also Read: The big tie-up: BJP, Cong, AIMIM announce alliance in Ambernath
The unusual coalition drama unfolded in the aftermath of the local polls held on December 20, following which arch-rivals BJP and Congress joined hands under the banner of ‘Ambernath Vikas Aghadi’ (AVA) to form the Ambernath Municipal Council (in Thane district) leadership. The move was seen as a bid to sideline Shiv Sena, the BJP’s ally in the state government where the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena are partners in the ruling Mahayuti.
The Aghadi, which also includes Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), secured a majority of 31 seats in the 60-member local body. The Shiv Sena had won 27 seats, falling just four short of a majority, the BJP secured 14 seats, Congress 12, NCP 4, and 2 independents were also elected.
With the support of one independent, the three-party coalition’s strength rose to 32 councillors, crossing the majority mark of 30. But, the move by the Congress counsillors to join the BJP significantly altered the political equations in the municipality and left the Congress red-faced, prompting it to suspend them, along with the block president.
Mahayuti ally, Shiv Sena, called the development a betrayal of “coalition dharma”, saying the arrangement in Ambernath was aimed at keeping the Eknath Shinde-led party from holding reins of the local body.
State CM Fadnavis had also frowned upon the partnership, saying such arrangements were not approved by the BJP leadership and violated discipline.
Meanwhile, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has said the arrangements reflect the BJP’s double standards and its readiness to do anything to grab power.
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