Mumbai: In a dramatic late-night political turnaround, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has taken control of the Ambernath Municipal Council in Thane district, leaving its state-level ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), out of the power structure. The swift move has reshaped local politics and highlighted how municipal equations can sharply differ from state alliances.
The Shiv Sena secured a clear majority in the 60-member civic body by forming an alliance with the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and one independent councillor. With 27 councillors of its own, the Sena crossed the majority mark by adding four NCP members and one independent, taking its total strength to 32.
Sources familiar with the developments said that the alliance was finalised quietly and formalised through a letter submitted to the district collector late at night. The speed and secrecy of the move caught the BJP off guard, despite it being the largest partner in the ruling Mahayuti alliance at the state level.
The situation is particularly striking because the Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP are all allies in Maharashtra’s government. However, in Ambernath, local interests and rivalries appear to have overridden coalition commitments. Political observers say the episode underlines how municipal politics often follows its own rules, independent of larger alliances.
The Sena’s action was reportedly driven by dissatisfaction over what it viewed as repeated attempts by the BJP to weaken its position in the council, even though the Sena emerged as the single largest party. Talks with the NCP reportedly progressed quickly, with indications that the deputy leadership role in the council may be allotted to the Pawar-led party.
The BJP’s own strategy in Ambernath has been complicated. Earlier, it had aligned with the Congress under a local front, only to later induct Congress councillors after they were suspended by their party. Despite these manoeuvres, the BJP failed to secure control of the civic body.
Reacting to the developments, Shiv Sena MLA Balaji Kinikar openly criticised the BJP, accusing it of undermining alliance partners at the local level. The current strength of the Ambernath Municipal Council stands at: Shiv Sena 27, BJP 14, Congress 12, NCP 4 and Independents 2.
