BJP, Congress Forge Alliance in Ambernath Municipal Council Election

Mumbai: The BJP and Congress have once again joined hands in a local body election in Maharashtra, this time against the Shiv Sena. The alliance was formed during the election to the post of Chairperson of the Ambernath Municipal Council in Thane district.

In the municipal elections held on December 20, Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party by winning 27 seats in the 60-member council, but fell short of a majority by four seats (31 required). The BJP secured 14 seats, Congress 12, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) 4, while independents won 3 seats.

In the contest for the chairperson’s post, Shiv Sena candidate Manisha Valekar was defeated by BJP candidate Tejashree Karanjule Patil. A total of 32 councillors, including members of the Congress, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), and independents, extended support to the BJP candidate.

The Congress leadership has so far refrained from responding to criticism over the formation of what has been termed a “communal alliance.” According to reports in national media, a Congress spokesperson said that no official decision has yet been taken by the state leadership and that the situation is being closely monitored.

Meanwhile, BJP sources clarified that since this was a local body election, local leaders were given the freedom to take decisions independently.

The coming together of the BJP and Congress ahead of municipal corporation elections in major cities such as Mumbai and Thane has sparked widespread political debate across Maharashtra.