Fadnavis Slams BJP Leaders Over Congress, AIMIM Tie-Ups; Warns Strict Action
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday warned BJP leaders after reports of local tie-ups with the Congress and AIMIM. He said the BJP “can never form an alliance” with either party. He called the alliances “unacceptable” and said they violated party discipline. Fadnavis issued immediate instructions to undo the arrangements. He also confirmed that the party will act against leaders who approved these decisions without permission.
Fadnavis Calls the Alliances a Serious Breach
Fadnavis said the senior leadership never cleared the alliances in Ambernath or Akot. He said local leaders acted without approval and broke party rules. Earlier, BJP members in Ambernath joined the Congress and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP under the ‘Ambernath Vikas Aghadi’. They sidelined the Shiv Sena in the process. Meanwhile, BJP leaders in Akot created the ‘Akot Vikas Manch’ with the AIMIM and several smaller groups. Fadnavis said these steps damaged internal discipline and created confusion within the party.
Opposition Criticises BJP for Violating Coalition Dharma
The opposition reacted immediately. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused the BJP of opportunism. He said the party joins hands with anyone “to grab power”. Sena MLA Dr Balaji Kinikar said the move betrayed “coalition dharma”. He added that the alliances contradicted the BJP’s “Congress-mukt Bharat” message. Despite the criticism, the Ambernath alliance did shift the results. The BJP-Congress-NCP front won 31 of the 60 seats. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena became the single largest party with 27 seats. BJP’s Tejashree Karanjule Patil then won the council president post.
Alliance Moves Strain Mahayuti Relations
The issue has now raised concerns within the Mahayuti alliance. The coalition includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. These unexpected alliances created new friction between the partners. In Akot, the BJP-AIMIM bloc won the mayor’s post. BJP’s Maya Dhule took charge after the group registered its alliance with district officials. As a result, party leaders expect disciplinary action soon. Many believe the BJP will tighten internal control to avoid similar incidents. The controversy has also pushed the Mahayuti to review its coordination strategy before upcoming elections.
