In a significant political move in the Ambernath Municipal Council, four NCP councillors from the Ajit Pawar faction have withdrawn support from a BJP-backed setup to align with the Shiv Sena. This shift has given the Shiv Sena a clear majority in the council, reshaping the power dynamics before crucial civic post elections.
The NCP councillors expressed discomfort in sharing power with the Congress, a party they have opposed consistently since 2023. Local NCP leaders highlighted that the public mandate favored the Mahayuti coming to power post-elections, not forming an alliance with the Congress. This move has created pressure on the BJP-led arrangement, which had earlier aligned with the Congress and facilitated the entry of expelled Congress councillors into the BJP.
The current composition of the Ambernath Municipal Council stands at Shiv Sena: 27, Independent (supporting Shiv Sena): 1, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction): 4, totaling 32 councillors. In contrast, the BJP has 14 councillors, and the Congress has 12. The BJP, initially expected to secure the Deputy President’s post in the upcoming elections, faced a setback when four NCP corporators shifted their allegiance to the Shiv Sena on the final day of group registration. Consequently, the Shiv Sena now holds 32 seats, ensuring its control over the Deputy President’s position and various subject committees.
Despite the BJP winning the President’s post, the Shiv Sena has managed to maintain its influence over the Ambernath Municipal Council in light of these recent developments. The realignment also saw 12 Congress councillors, who had sided with the BJP, being suspended by the Congress leadership and subsequently joining the BJP. State BJP chief Ravindra Chavan emphasized that the corporators joined for the betterment of Ambernath under the BJP-led government’s leadership.
