Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday firmly rejected recent post-poll alliances formed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with its political rivals, the Congress and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), in municipal councils in Thane and Akola districts. Describing the moves as a breach of party discipline, Fadnavis announced that the alliances would be terminated and strict action would be taken against the local BJP leaders responsible.

“Such alliances are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. If any local BJP leaders have entered into alliances with these parties without approval, it is a serious breach of party discipline, and strict action will be taken,” Fadnavis said.

The background: fractured mandates in civic polls

The controversy stems from recent municipal elections in Ambernath (Thane) and Akot (Akola), where fractured mandates prompted local leaders to form post-poll arrangements to control the councils.

In Ambernath, the 60-member Municipal Council election returned the following results: Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) 27 seats, BJP 14 seats, Congress 12 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) four seats. Although Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party, the BJP quickly formed a post-poll alliance called the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi with Congress and NCP, effectively sidelining the Shiv Sena to take control of the civic body.

In Akot, the BJP reportedly formed a similar local front, the Vikas Manch, with four corporators elected on AIMIM tickets. The move drew criticism from multiple quarters, including the AIMIM leadership and opposition parties.

Responses from key political figures

AIMIM leader Imtiyaz Jaleel termed the alliance unacceptable, saying, “I have asked our in-charge in Akola to send me a report immediately. We cannot go with the BJP.”

Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde criticised the BJP for sidelining the public mandate in Ambernath. “We could have easily taken charge of the Ambernath civic body, but BJP leaders acted otherwise. The Sena is used to being in opposition, but the public mandate, too, should be respected. This sends the wrong message. Power is not everything,” he said.

BJP MLA Ranjeet Savarkar, addressing the Akot controversy, clarified that the four corporators elected on AIMIM tickets had voluntarily quit AIMIM and joined the BJP-led alliance, asserting, “We have not joined hands with the AIMIM and can never do it.”

State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal also distanced the party from the Ambernath post-poll alliance. “Twelve members of Congress were elected on our own symbol. We have not supported any party. Even if the local unit wants to form an alliance, they have been asked to take permission from the state leadership,” Sapkal said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) lawmaker Priyanka Chaturvedi took a dig at both BJP and Congress, saying, “So next time any supporter of either political party tries to take a moral high ground about decisions, please keep quiet. Also, the BJP has entered into an alliance with AIMIM to gain power in the Akot municipality in Akola. Maharashtra politics is not for beginners; it is level pro max.”

Fadnavis signals strict action

Fadnavis’s strong response underscores the BJP’s intent to enforce strict discipline and prevent local experiments from undermining the party’s broader political positioning. By vowing to end the alliances and penalise leaders responsible, he aims to send a clear message that ideological boundaries must be maintained, even at the local level.

Political implications

These developments highlight the tension between local political calculations and state-level party strategies in Maharashtra. While fractured mandates at the municipal level often encourage pragmatic alliances, the resulting cross-party collaborations risk public embarrassment and confusion over party ideologies.

In Ambernath and Akot, the BJP faced criticism for appearing to prioritise control of civic bodies over its stated political stance against both the Congress and AIMIM. The swift responses from party leaderships indicate an attempt to contain potential fallout ahead of future elections.

As Maharashtra’s civic and state politics continue to witness such complex maneuvers, the Fadnavis directive serves as a reminder that local alliances must align with the high command’s expectations or face consequences.