07 January,2026 05:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. File pic
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) oon Wednesday slammed the BJP after it announced an alliance with Congress and AIMIM in two of the municipal corporations, days ahead of the Maharashtra local body elections.
Slamming their tactics ahead of the polls, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir on Wednesday said that the move by the BJP reflects that they have double standards and the BJP can do anything to grab power, as per PTI.
Following the civic polls last month, the BJP joined hands with the Congress, its arch-rival, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under the banner of 'Ambernath Vikas Aghadi' to form the Ambernath Municipal Council leadership (in Thane district), sidelining ally Shiv Sena.
Furthermore, the ruling party also struck a similar alliance with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and other parties in the Akot Municipal Council in Akola district.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ahir further claimed, "This reflects the double standards of the BJP. Their mentality is to do anything to grab power," as per PTI.
On the other hand, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut dubbed former ally BJP a "two-headed earthworm".
MP Sanjay Raut claimed that the BJP has supported the AIMIM in the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation polls, scheduled on January 15.
The Rajya Sabha member further emphasised, "From Akot to Ambernath, there is a hidden support and in some cases open backing of the BJP for the AIMIM and the Congress." He also hinted that this is a new pattern in Maharashtra.
Notably, the BJP, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena are partners in the ruling Mahayuti in the state.
In the 60-member Ambernath Municipal Council, the BJP forged a post-poll understanding with the Congress and NCP, securing a majority of 31 seats, even though the Shiv Sena is the single largest party with 27 members, reported PTI.
In Akot, the BJP formed the 'Akot Vikas Manch' with the AIMIM, with support from the Uddhav Thackeray-headed Shiv Sena (UBT), Shinde's Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar's NCP, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Bachchu Kadu's Prahar Janshakti Party.
Howrever, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while condemning the decision for allying with Congress and AIMIM said that such tie-ups were unacceptable and would be scrapped.
CM Fadnavis, while talking to media, said, "I am making it very clear that any alliance with the Congress or AIMIM will not be accepted. If any local leader has taken such a decision on their own, it is wrong in terms of discipline, and action will be taken."
(With inputs from PTI)
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