Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday issued a stern warning to party leaders after reports emerged that local BJP units had entered into post-poll alliances with the Congress and the AIMIM in two municipal councils. Calling such arrangements unacceptable, Fadnavis made it clear that the BJP cannot and will not align with either party under any circumstances.
Reacting to developments in Ambernath and Akot, Fadnavis said any alliance formed without the approval of the party’s senior leadership amounts to a serious breach of discipline. He added that instructions have already been issued to dismantle these local arrangements and that strict disciplinary action will follow against those responsible.
In Ambernath, BJP leaders announced a post-election alliance with the Congress and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party under the banner of the ‘Ambernath Vikas Aghadi’ to form the municipal council leadership, sidelining alliance partner Shiv Sena. In a similar move in Akot, Akola district, the BJP joined hands with the AIMIM and other parties to form the ‘Akot Vikas Manch’, securing the mayor’s post with BJP councillor Maya Dhule elected as mayor.
Fadnavis clarified that neither of these alliances had the sanction of the party’s central or state leadership and stressed that unilateral decisions by local leaders violate party discipline. He reiterated that the BJP’s ideological position rules out any partnership with the Congress or the AIMIM.
The developments have triggered sharp reactions within the ruling Mahayuti coalition, which includes the BJP, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. In Ambernath, the BJP-Congress-NCP grouping secured 31 seats in the 60-member civic body, while the Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 27 councillors. BJP councillor Tejashree Karanjule Patil was elected council president, defeating the Sena’s candidate Manisha Walekar.
Shiv Sena MLA Dr Balaji Kinikar described the move as a betrayal of coalition principles and said it went against the BJP’s long-standing stance of opposing the Congress. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused the BJP of political opportunism, alleging that the party was willing to align with any force to retain power.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny of alliance dynamics within Maharashtra’s ruling coalition, even as the BJP leadership moves to reassert control and enforce party discipline at the grassroots level.
