Local BJP alliances with Congress in Ambernath and AIMIM in Akola spark backlash, embarrass allies
(From left) Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and DCMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. File pic
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s local units forming alliances with ideologically opposite parties in two Maharashtra towns has triggered political ripples and drawn sharp disapproval from the party’s top leadership.
In Thane district’s Ambernath, the BJP joined hands with the Congress and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party in a post-poll development to keep the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena out of power in the municipal council. Meanwhile, in the Akot Municipal Council in Akola district, the local BJP unit reportedly aligned with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.
Within hours of the developments coming to light, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis publicly expressed his displeasure, stating that he does not approve of alliances with parties that follow completely opposing ideologies.
The move is said to have upset Eknath Shinde and leaders of the Shiv Sena, which is an ally of the BJP in the Maharashtra government.
State-level BJP leaders maintained that the decisions were taken by local units without the party leadership’s approval and reiterated that the BJP does not endorse such alliances.
The developments have also caused embarrassment to the alliance partners. The Indian National Congress issued show-cause notices to its corporators in Ambernath, while the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen claimed it had not entered into any alliance with the BJP in Akot.
The BJP’s tie-ups with the Congress and AIMIM drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut questioned the BJP’s ideological consistency, targeting the party over what he called opportunistic politics.
Colaba candidate cries foul
Independent candidate Tejal Pawar has alleged that she was forced to withdraw her nomination from a municipal ward in Colaba. Pawar claimed that local MLA Rahul Narwekar threatened her to pull out of the contest.
Narwekar, who is also the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, denied the allegations. Speaking to television reporters, he said, “I have never met or even seen this candidate. There is no question of threatening her. The allegations are completely baseless.”
mid-day reached out to Narwekar on the allegations. “It is clearly visible that while allegations are levelled, the Sena UBT MP was on the dais with the person making allegations. The allegations are motivated, staged and with the intention to malign my image,” the Colaba MLA said.
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