Imagine the improbable: the political poles of the nation, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, coming together to form a government. Most would dismiss this as pure fantasy, devoid of reality or any likelihood. Yet, what if we told you it has happened?
This exceptional scenario unravelled in the local government elections in Maharashtra. Here, in the municipal council of Ambernath, the BJP and Congress—two fierce rivals—have teamed up. Defying the Congress-free India slogan, BJP has opted for power by aligning with Congress in Ambernath.
The unexpected alliance between BJP and Congress aims to keep Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena (Shinde) out of power. Joining hands with Congress, BJP is now closing in on a clear majority in Ambernath's municipal council. Tejashree Karanjule from BJP has emerged victorious in the Chairman election of the council.
The Dynamics of Ambernath's Municipal Council
Ambernath's municipal council consists of 59 councillors. Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena won 28 seats, becoming the largest party. Though BJP, a coalition partner at the state level, secured 15 seats, it took second place. Congress managed 12 seats, while Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party clinched four.
Traditionally, Shiv Sena ruled Ambernath's council. This time, despite being the second-largest party, BJP aligned with Congress in a bid to exclude Shiv Sena (Shinde) from power, forming the 'Ambernath Vikas Aghadi'. This coalition enjoys the backing of 31 councillors, surpassing the simple majority threshold by one.
Shinde's Party Denounces the Alliance as Unprincipled
Shiv Sena (Shinde) leaders are displeased with BJP's Congress alliance in Ambernath. Labelled as an unprincipled coalition, it led to a sharp rebuke from Shinde's party. Legislator Dr. Balaji Kinikar criticized this alliance, declaring it a betrayal by BJP, who often spoke of a Congress-free India, by aligning for power in Ambernath.
BJP and Congress unexpectedly unite to govern Ambernath.
Shiv Sena (Shinde) denounces the coalition as treachery.
BJP Retorts to Shinde's Accusations
Meanwhile, BJP has dismissed accusations from the Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction. Vice President Gulabrao Karanjule Patil argued that working with the corrupt Shinde faction would have been the actual unprincipled alliance. He also noted that multiple attempts to engage Shiv Sena (Shinde) in the grand alliance were met with silence.
Amidst Rising Tensions, Mahayuti Faces a Test
While the BJP-Congress alliance in Ambernath clarifies power dynamics, it has sparked tensions within the Mahayuti coalition. Whether this is an unprincipled pact or a political necessity remains hotly debated. Efforts to reach Congress's city president Pradeep Patil for comment were unsuccessful.
