BJP will act against leaders who tied up with Congress, AIMIM: Fadnavis after Ambarnath shock

What happened: BJP councillors joined hands with Congress, NCP, and AIMIM in Ambarnath and Akot, sidelining ally Shiv Sena from local power.

Why it matters now: The episode exposes internal discipline issues within the ruling party in Maharashtra.

What changes for people: Local alliances may be scrutinised, dissolved, or restructured, affecting municipal governance.

Who is affected: BJP local leaders, alliance partners like Shiv Sena, and residents of Ambarnath and Akot.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, issued a strong warning against party leaders who forged local-level alliances with rival parties, calling the moves “indiscipline” and unacceptable.

His remarks came after BJP councillors aligned with Congress and NCP in the Ambarnath Municipal Council, effectively keeping alliance partner Shiv Sena out of power. A similar situation unfolded in Akot Municipal Council in Akola district, where BJP leaders supported councillors linked to AIMIM, some of whom later distanced themselves from the party.

‘This cannot be tolerated’

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis made it clear that such political arrangements violated party discipline and alliance principles.

“What has happened in Ambarnath and Akola is not acceptable. If this has been done by local leadership, it will have to be broken. This is indiscipline,” he said.

The Chief Minister underlined that any alliance with Congress or AIMIM at any level will not be tolerated, adding that he has already issued directions for disciplinary action against those responsible.

Alliance strain at the local level

The developments have triggered discomfort within the ruling alliance, particularly for Shiv Sena, which found itself excluded from power despite being a formal partner of the BJP in the state.

Senior BJP leaders privately acknowledge that municipal-level politics often diverges from state-level alliances, but the leadership’s sharp response indicates an effort to reassert central control ahead of upcoming civic and political challenges.