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BJP Wins Ambernath Council with Congress, NCP Backing in Shock Move

In a dramatic political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party has secured leadership of the Ambernath Municipal Council by forming a majority coalition with the Congress and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). This move sidelines the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which emerged as the single largest party with 23 seats but could not form a government. The BJP's candidate, Tejashri Karanjule, defeated the Shinde faction's nominee to become Council President. This local alliance, contradicting their state-level partnership, highlights intense local rivalries and signals a tactical shift as parties position themselves for upcoming larger elections.

Key Points: BJP Gains Ambernath Council with Congress, NCP Support

  • BJP forms majority with Congress & NCP
  • Shiv Sena becomes opposition despite most seats
  • Local rivalries override state-level alliances
  • Signals tactical shift ahead of larger elections
2 min read

BJP secures Ambernath Council leadership with backing from Congress, NCP

BJP forms majority in Ambernath Municipal Council with backing from Congress and NCP, sidelining the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in a major political shift.

"We attempted to discuss a grand alliance... but received no response. - Gulabrao Karanjule Patil"

Ambernath, Jan 6

In a dramatic political shift that has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra's political circles, the Bharatiya Janata Party formed a majority in the Ambernath Municipal Council with the support of the Congress and the NCP-led Ajit Pawar.

Ambernath is situated in Thane district which has been a home district of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

During the recently held municipal council elections, BJP defeated the Shiv Sena in Ambernath ending its rule there.

Despite the Shinde-led Shiv Sena emerging as the single largest party, the BJP managed to secure the President's post and form a working majority by stitching together an unlikely coalition.

In the 59-member Ambernath Municipal Council, Shiv Sena had won 23 seats, BJP 16, Congress 12 and NCP (Ajit Pawar) four.

By joining forces, the BJP (16), Congress (12), and NCP (four) have reached a total of 32 seats, successfully crossing the majority mark and pushing the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction (23 seats) into the opposition.

The battle for the Municipal Council President was a high-stakes prestige fight between State BJP President Ravindra Chavan and Shinde-faction MP Shrikant Shinde.

In a tightly contested race, BJP's Tejashri Karanjule defeated the Shinde faction's candidate, Manisha Walekar, to become the Council President.

BJP Vice-President Gulabrao Karanjule Patil defended the move, saying that they attempted to discuss a grand alliance (Mahayuti) with the Shinde faction multiple times, but received no response.

Historically, Ambernath has been a stronghold where the Shiv Sena and BJP have shared a complex relationship. While they are allies in the Maharashtra-led Mahayuti government, local rivalries often supersede state-level pacts.

The BJP's willingness to align with the Congress to sideline the Shinde faction suggests a tactical shift as parties begin to jockey for local dominance ahead of larger state elections.

This development takes place when the election process for 29 municipal corporations is underway.

Of the 29 municipal corporations, the Mahayuti allies are not contesting together in 24 municipal corporations while BJP and Shiv Sena are fighting together in Mumbai, Thane and Kolhapur.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
As a resident of Thane district, I'm just happy if this alliance leads to better civic works. Ambernath needs better roads and water supply. Hope the new council focuses on development, not political one-upmanship.
M
Michael C
Interesting analysis. The local vs. state dynamic is clear. Parties are allies in Mumbai but rivals in Ambernath. This tactical shift ahead of larger elections makes sense from a strategic standpoint, even if it seems contradictory.
A
Ananya R
Congress supporting BJP? What is happening? Has the party forgotten its core ideology? This is a betrayal of voters who supported them to oppose the BJP. Very disappointing move by the local Congress unit.
V
Vikram M
The BJP's move is smart politics. They were the second largest party but became kingmakers by bringing others together. Shows good ground management. Eknath Shinde's faction should have been more proactive.
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Priya S
Ultimately, what matters is governance. If this unexpected coalition delivers for Ambernath, people will accept it. If it fails, they will be voted out. The focus should be on the municipal budget and projects now. 👍

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