Mumbai | January 8, 2026

The Congress on Thursday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what it called “hypocrisy and double standards” following a post-poll alliance between local leaders of both parties in Maharashtra’s Ambernath Municipal Council. The ruling party in the state, Congress, suspended all 12 of its councillors in Ambernath for joining hands with the BJP, accusing the saffron party of failing to act against its own leaders who facilitated the alliance.

Councillors suspended for tie-up

According to Maharashtra Congress sources, the 12 councillors formally joined the BJP late on Wednesday night. The move came despite the fact that the alliance had not been sanctioned by the Congress leadership. Party state president Ravindra Chavan confirmed the suspensions, citing the councillors’ violation of party discipline and the unauthorized post-poll arrangement.

State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant accused the BJP of turning a blind eye to its councillors’ actions, arguing that the saffron party’s rhetoric against Congress was contradicted by its tacit approval of the alliance at the local level. “The BJP, which repeatedly speaks of a ‘Congress-free India,’ has exposed its hypocrisy and double standards by not taking any action against its councillors, even though the offer to form the alliance came from the saffron outfit itself,” Sawant said.

Background: Ambernath Municipal Council results

The Ambernath civic council election, conducted for a 60-member body, was held on December 20, 2025. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 27 seats, falling just four short of a majority. The BJP secured 14 seats, Congress 12, the NCP 4, and two independents were elected. Following the elections, local leaders from the BJP and Congress reportedly agreed to form a post-poll alliance, giving them a combined majority of 31 seats in the council, effectively sidelining Shiv Sena.

BJP councillor Abhijit Karanjule Patil, appointed as the group leader for the alliance, justified the move by saying it was intended to “free Ambernath from corruption and intimidation.” However, Congress leadership has made it clear that it does not recognize the alliance and has penalized its councillors accordingly.

BJP-AIMIM ties in Akot

The controversy in Ambernath comes shortly after a similar post-poll arrangement between the BJP and the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM in Akola’s Akot Municipal Council. Congress leaders drew historical parallels, claiming that alliances between ideologically opposed parties are reminiscent of pre-Independence arrangements, such as the Hindu Mahasabha’s cooperation with the Muslim League in certain regions.

“The people now understand how political polarization is deliberately engineered,” said Sawant. He further alleged that the BJP was willing to compromise on principles, morality, and ideology to secure power.

While Congress has suspended its Ambernath councillors, BJP state president Ravindra Chavan reportedly issued a show-cause notice to Akot MLA Prakash Bharsakhale for his role in the alliance with AIMIM, highlighting inconsistencies in the way the saffron party handles such arrangements across the state.