Fri Jan 09 12:34:58 UTC 2026: # Maharashtra Political Tussle: Shiv Sena and NCP Unite to Sideline BJP in Ambarnath Municipal Council

The Story:
In a surprising turn of events, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), along with an Independent member, have formed an alliance to control the Ambarnath Municipal Council in Maharashtra, effectively blocking the BJP from power. This move comes despite Sena and NCP being allies with the BJP in the state’s ruling Mahayuti government. The new coalition has submitted a letter to district authorities staking their claim to lead the local body.

Key Points:

  • The Shiv Sena, NCP, and an Independent member have created an alliance with 32 members in the 60-member Ambarnath Municipal Council.
  • This alliance aims to keep the BJP out of power despite their previous attempts to gain control.
  • Just a day prior, 12 suspended Congress councillors joined the BJP.
  • Following the December 20, 2025, local polls, the BJP had formed the ‘Ambarnath Vikas Aghadi’ with the Congress and NCP, sidelining the Shiv Sena, which had won the most seats (27).
  • The Congress party had suspended its 12 councillors and a block president after the BJP-Congress alliance.

Critical Analysis:

The article highlights the complex and often unpredictable nature of political alliances in India. Despite being part of the same ruling coalition at the state level (Mahayuti government), the Shiv Sena and NCP are willing to set aside their alliance with the BJP to secure control at the local level. This demonstrates that local political considerations and power dynamics often supersede broader alliance commitments. The initial move by the BJP to align with the Congress after the December local polls, and subsequently the Sena-NCP’s strategic counter-move, reveals the opportunistic nature of political maneuvering, where parties are willing to align with former rivals to achieve their objectives.

Key Takeaways:

  • Local politics can override state-level alliances: The Shiv Sena-NCP alliance against the BJP proves that alliances are flexible and context-dependent.
  • Opportunism in political alliances: Parties are often willing to align with former rivals to secure or retain power.
  • The BJP’s strategy backfired: The BJP’s attempt to control the municipal council through an alliance with the Congress ultimately led to their exclusion.
  • Congress faces internal turmoil: The suspension of 12 councilors suggests significant discord within the Congress party.

Impact Analysis:

This event shows the instability of the current Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra and could potentially lead to further realignments at both the local and state levels. It suggests a lack of trust between the coalition partners and highlights the potential for future conflicts of interest. The BJP will likely need to reassess its strategies for local governance and alliance management. The impact of this event on the stability of the state government remains to be seen, but it clearly demonstrates the complexities of maintaining a coalition with competing interests.

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