Maharashtra civic polls: 12 suspended Congress councillors in Ambernath join BJP

Twelve newly elected councillors in the Ambernath Municipal Council suspended by the Congress for aligning with the BJP after the polls have formally joined the saffron party reported news agency PTIBJP leadership says move driven by development agendaMaharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party president Ravindra Chavan announced the development at the BJP office here late Wednesday night asserting the move was not motivated by power but driven by a shared commitment to developmentThe people elected these councillors and they had promised development to the citizens They have come with us because the government is working in a dynamic manner and is capable of delivering justice and development to the people he said reported PTIPostpoll alliance sidelined Shiv Sena in AmbernathFollowing the local polls held on December 20 the BJP joined hands with its archrival Congress under the banner of Ambernath Vikas Aghadi AVA to form the Ambernath Municipal Council in Thane district leadership sidelining ally Shiv Sena which emerged as the single largest party The Aghadi also includes Ajit Pawarled Nationalist Congress Party NCPSeat tally gives AVA majority in 60member councilThe AVA secured a majority of 31 seats in the 60member local body In recent elections Shiv Sena won 27 seats falling just four short of a majority The BJP secured 14 seats Congress 12 NCP 4 while 2 independents were also elected reported PTIWith the support of one independent the threeparty coalitions strength has risen to 32 councillors crossing the majority mark of 30Congress suspends councillors after political embarrassmentLeft redfaced with the awkward arrangement the Congress on Wednesday suspended its 12 newly elected councillors along with the block presidentThe move by the 12 suspended councillors to join the BJP has significantly altered the political equations in the municipality BJP NCP and Shiv Sena are partners in the ruling MahayutiBJP claims growing confidence in its governanceChavan maintained that the councillors move reflected growing confidence in the BJPled governmentThey believe that only through the BJP can the promises made to the people be fulfilled effectively he said adding that the party would continue to focus on governance and development at the local body level reported PTIMahayuti ally Shiv Sena has called the development a betrayal of coalition dharma as the arrangement in Ambernath was aimed at keeping the Eknath Shindeled party from holding reins of the local bodyBJPAIMIM tieup in Akot draws noticeOn the BJP joining hands with the Asaduddin Owaisiled AIMIM in the Akot Municipal Council in Akola district Chavan said a showcause notice has been issued to their Akot MLA Prakash BharsakhaleCM Fadnavis expresses displeasure over local alliancesChavan noted that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed strong displeasure over the role of local BJP leaders in the matter and made it clear that the party would not tolerate actions that go against its stated policies reported PTIParty leadership warns against ideological compromisesFrowning upon the alliances between ideological rivals CM Fadnavis on Wednesday said such arrangements were not approved by the BJP leadership and violated discipline reported PTIUddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBT has said the arrangements reflect the BJPs double standards and its readiness to do anything to grab powerWith inputs from PTI