Thane, January 7 (NationPress) The Maharashtra Congress has undertaken significant disciplinary measures against its Ambernath leadership after allegations surfaced regarding an unauthorized political partnership with the BJP within the local civic body.

In a formal communication released on Wednesday, the Congress party announced the immediate suspension of Pradeep Patil, the President of the Ambernath Block Congress Committee, alongside 12 corporators for collaborating with the BJP in the Ambernath Municipal Council, in addition to engaging in anti-party activities and violating party discipline.

Following their suspension, all 12 corporators quickly opted to join the BJP under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister Ravindra Chavan.

The Congress leadership claims that Patil allegedly formed a coalition with the BJP in the municipal council without informing or obtaining consent from the state headquarters.

This action has been described by Congress as a “serious error” and a clear breach of party protocol. The decision by all 12 suspended Congress legislators to switch allegiance to the BJP has significantly impacted the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Congress party itself.

Earlier, the BJP had reached an understanding with the Congress.

Despite the Shinde-led Shiv Sena emerging as the largest party, the BJP successfully secured the President's position and established a working majority by forming an unexpected coalition.

Within the 60-member Ambernath Municipal Council, the Shiv Sena won 27 seats, the BJP 14, the Congress 12, the NCP (Ajit Pawar) 4, and independents 3. By collaborating, the BJP, with backing from Congress, NCP, and two independents, achieved a total of 32 seats, effectively surpassing the majority threshold and relegating the Shinde faction to the opposition.

Conversely, the Shiv Sena, supported by one independent, fell short of the majority mark of 32 seats with a total of 28.

Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde criticized the BJP for collaborating with Congress, stating that forsaking a trusted ally to align with Congress contradicts the essence of the Mahayuti coalition.

This situation has altered the political landscape in Ambernath. While the BJP is poised to gain complete control with the aid of the defecting Congress members, the escalating rift between the BJP and the Shinde Sena within their own territory has become a prominent topic in Maharashtra’s political discussions ahead of the upcoming civic elections.