Mumbai: Ahead of the crucial civic elections in Maharashtra, political speculation surrounding Ambernath has intensified after reports suggested an unexpected understanding between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. However, Congress leader Sachin Sawant has categorically rejected these claims, calling such reports “incorrect” and misleading, while asserting that the real political battle in Ambernath is against corruption at the local level.
Reacting strongly to the media buzz, Sachin Sawant issued a public clarification to dispel what he described as deliberate misinformation. Taking to social media, Sawant stated, “In Ambernath, setting aside party affiliations and symbols, various party workers have formed the Ambernath Development Front against the corruption perpetrated by the local-level Shinde Sena. Independents are also included in this. Therefore, news reports claiming that Congress and BJP have come together are incorrect. Please take note.”
Sawant’s statement came at a time when Maharashtra’s political circles were already on edge due to reports that the BJP had entered into local-level arrangements that appeared to contradict its state-level alliances. The situation triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders, particularly Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who accused the BJP of following “double standards” in its political strategies.
Speaking to reporters earlier, Raut had remarked that the BJP was engaging in selective alliances depending on political convenience. He pointed out that while the BJP was allegedly aligning with the Congress in Ambernath, it had also collaborated with other parties in different regions, raising questions about ideological consistency. Raut’s criticism further fueled the controversy surrounding the Ambernath civic polls.
The developments also caused discomfort within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, distanced his party from the reported arrangement. He said that questions regarding any such alliance should be directed to the BJP’s senior leadership and reiterated that the Shiv Sena’s approach in Ambernath has always been centred on development. He also stressed that efforts were ongoing to maintain Mahayuti unity even at the municipal level.
Amid the political crossfire, Sawant underlined that the Ambernath Development Front is not a formal alliance between established parties but a collective platform formed by leaders and workers from different political backgrounds. According to him, the aim is to challenge what he termed as corruption and misgovernance by the local Shinde-led Shiv Sena, rather than to engage in power politics.
