Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued a stern warning to BJP leaders after reports emerged of local-level alliances with the Congress and AIMIM in civic bodies, calling such tie-ups “unacceptable” and against party ideology.
Reacting to developments in Ambernath and Akot municipal councils, Fadnavis said the BJP can never align with either the Congress or the AIMIM under any circumstances. He made it clear that any such arrangements entered into without approval from the party’s senior leadership amount to a serious breach of discipline.
“The BJP can never form an alliance with the Congress or the AIMIM. Such alliances will not be tolerated,” the chief minister said, adding that instructions have already been issued to undo these arrangements. He also warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against leaders responsible for these decisions.
The controversy erupted after BJP leaders in Ambernath announced a post-poll alliance with the Congress and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party under the banner of the ‘Ambernath Vikas Aghadi’, sidelining ally Shiv Sena. In a separate incident, the BJP joined hands with the AIMIM to form a coalition in the Akot Municipal Council in Akola district.
Fadnavis stressed that both alliances were formed without the consent of the party’s top leadership. “Any unilateral decision taken by local leaders is wrong in terms of party discipline,” he said, underlining that such moves undermine the BJP’s organisational structure and core principles.
The issue has also put the spotlight on the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. In Ambernath, the BJP-Congress-NCP alliance secured a majority in the 60-member council, even though the Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party. BJP councillor Tejashree Karanjule Patil was elected council president, defeating the Sena candidate.
Opposition leaders were quick to criticise the BJP. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused the party of abandoning its principles for power, while Sena MLA Dr Balaji Kinikar termed the move a violation of “coalition dharma” and contradictory to the BJP’s long-standing slogan of a “Congress-mukt Bharat”.
In Akot, the BJP-led ‘Akot Vikas Manch’, formed with the AIMIM and other parties, secured the mayor’s post, with BJP’s Maya Dhule elected as mayor. The alliance has been officially registered ahead of upcoming deputy mayor and committee elections.