CM Fadnavis Condemns BJP’s Local Alliances with Congress and AIMIM, Announces Strict Action

Mumbai, January 2026: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday described the recent local alliances formed by BJP leaders with the Congress and AIMIM in civic bodies in Ambernath and Akola as a “breach of discipline” and announced the immediate end of these alliances, warning that strict action would follow against responsible local leaders.

Speaking at a Mahayuti rally held at the Dome in Worli, Mumbai, Fadnavis was joined by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and RPI chief Ramdas Athawale. Addressing party workers, he emphasized, “The BJP can never form an alliance with the Congress or AIMIM. Such alliances are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. If any local BJP leader has formed an alliance with these parties without prior permission, it is a serious violation of party discipline, and strict action will be taken.”

The controversy erupted following the first phase of civic polls, which produced mixed results in municipal councils of Ambernath in Thane district and Akot in Akola district. In Ambernath, the BJP entered an alliance with the Congress and NCP to prevent Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction from coming to power. In the 60-seat council, Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 27 seats, followed by BJP (14), Congress (12), and NCP (4). Since 31 seats constitute a majority, the BJP-led group formed the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi with the Congress and NCP to take control of the council.

Similarly, in the 35-member Akot Municipal Council, BJP won 11 seats, Congress six, AIMIM five, and Prahar Janshakti Party three, with the remaining seats divided among Shiv Sena (UBT), Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, NCP, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena. The BJP’s local leadership created a front called Akot Vikas Manch, bringing together AIMIM, both factions of NCP and Shiv Sena, and Prahar Janshakti Party to keep Congress out of power.

These alliances provoked sharp criticism both within and outside the party. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders accused the BJP of forming “unholy alliances” with parties it had campaigned against during elections. Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde said, “In both bodies, we could have formed councils together with the BJP. But local leaders acted differently. Shiv Sena respects the public mandate. If alliances are formed without consultation, it is time for the state leadership to intervene. Power is not everything.”

BJP leaders in Akot, however, denied any alliance with AIMIM. Akola East MLA and BJP Chief Whip Ranjeet Savarkar clarified, “AIMIM councillors had already left their party before joining the Akot Vikas Manch. We have not joined hands with AIMIM and will never do so.” Akola MP Anup Dhotre echoed this stance, insisting the BJP had no formal partnership with AIMIM.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Congress reacted strongly to the Ambernath alliance. The party suspended all 12 councillors who supported the BJP along with Block President Pradeep Patil. Senior Congress vice-president Ganesh Patil said, “The councillors acted without informing the state leadership, violating party discipline. This is absolutely wrong.” State Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal also confirmed that no alliance with the BJP had been authorized, adding, “If any local unit wishes to form an alliance, prior permission must be sought.”

Following their suspension, the 12 councillors announced their decision to join the BJP. A suspended councilor alleged, “Sapkal demanded money from us, and now they have suspended us. We will all join the BJP soon.”

The episode underscores the tension within Maharashtra politics ahead of the municipal elections, with both the BJP and Congress facing internal challenges over local-level decisions made without state leadership approval. Fadnavis’s intervention signals that the party leadership intends to reassert control and discipline across the state.