12 Congress Councillors Join BJP in Ambernath
Suspended Congress corporators switch sides, reshaping political equations in Ambernath Municipal Council.
- 12 suspended Congress councillors formally join BJP
- BJP strength in Ambernath civic body crosses majority mark
- Move follows Congress suspension over post-poll realignment
- Shiv Sena terms the development a betrayal of coalition dharma
GG News Bureau
Thane, 8th Jan: Twelve newly elected councillors of the Ambernath Municipal Council, who were recently suspended by the Congress for aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the civic polls, have formally joined the saffron party, significantly altering the political equations in the local body.
Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan announced the development at the party’s office late Wednesday night, asserting that the move was driven by a shared commitment to development rather than the pursuit of 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,” Chavan said.
Following the local body elections held on December 20, the BJP joined hands with its former rival Congress under the banner of the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi (AVA) to form the civic body leadership, sidelining ally Shiv Sena, which had emerged as the single largest party. The AVA also includes the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The 60-member Ambernath Municipal Council saw Shiv Sena winning 27 seats, BJP 14, Congress 12, NCP 4 and two independents. With the support of one independent, the three-party coalition had crossed the majority mark with 32 councillors.
However, Congress was left embarrassed by the post-poll arrangement and on Wednesday suspended its 12 newly elected councillors along with the block president.
The Shiv Sena, a Mahayuti ally, has termed the development a betrayal of “coalition dharma,” stating that the arrangement was aimed at preventing the Eknath Shinde-led party from holding control of the civic body.
Meanwhile, addressing concerns over BJP’s alliance with the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM in Akot Municipal Council in Akola district, Chavan said a show-cause notice has been issued to BJP MLA Prakash Bharsakhale. He added that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed strong displeasure over such local-level alliances that go against the party’s stated policies.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has also criticised the developments, accusing the BJP of double standards and of being willing to go to any extent to gain power.
