New twist to Ambernath tale: NCP dumps BJP, backs Sena

AMBERNATH: In a fresh twist to the political drama in the Ambernath municipal council, a day after 12 suspended Congress councillors joined BJP, all four councillors from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP withdrew their support to the BJP-led front and extended it to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

With this, Sena, which had emerged the single-largest party by winning 27 seats, now has the support of 32 councillors (one backer is an independent), a majority in the 60-member council. The latest move is a setback to an attempt by BJP, with 15 councillors, to gain a majority by first securing the support of 12 Congress and 4 NCP councillors and then taking the suspended Congress councillors into its own fold.

BJP had won the direct election to the post of council president but will now be compelled to share power with Shiv Sena as key positions such as that of deputy president and posts of chairpersons of local committees are expected to go to Sena and NCP, political observers said. The elections held last month saw Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP contest separately. Ambernath has traditionally been a Shiv Sena stronghold and is also considered the bastion of Shiv Sena LS MP Shrikant Shinde, son of deputy CM Eknath Shinde. To maintain control of the civic body, BJP had brought together 12 Congress councillors, four from NCP, and one independent, forming the 32-member Ambernath Vikas Aghadi. The group was formally registered with Thane collector.

However, BJP faced criticism for aligning with Congress, and the latter subsequently suspended its councillors, leading all 12 to formally join the saffron outfit. However, Shinde Junior is said to have turned the tables on BJP by securing the support of the four NCP councillors plus one independent. Two independents were elected to the council; the other is with the BJP-led group. Sena MLA Balaji Kinikar confirmed Friday's developments. A BJP politician who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the four NCP councillors had formally joined the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi, and the group was recognised by the Thane collector. This, he said, raises questions over whether the NCP councillors can extend support to Sena. Observers said the changing political equations have altered the balance of power in the council but may have also opened the door to possible legal and political challenges in the days ahead.