Congress Suspends 12 Leaders in Maharashtra Amid BJP Alliance Controversy
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In a shocking move, the Congress has suspended 12 of its local leaders in Maharashtra's Ambernath after they formed an alliance with the BJP to take control of the municipal council. The decision comes amidst a larger controversy over post-poll alliances between the BJP and rival parties in several municipal councils. The BJP and Congress joined hands with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP to form 'Ambernath Vikas Aghadi', despite the Shiv Sena emerging as the single largest party in the 60-member Ambernath Municipal Council. The council saw the Shiv Sena win 27 seats, followed by BJP with 14, Congress with 12, NCP with four, and two independents. The move has triggered embarrassment for the Congress, with Vice President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, Ganesh Patil, writing to the Ambernath Congress block president, Pradeep Patil, informing him of his suspension. The letter stated that the Congress had contested the civic elections on its own symbol and secured 12 seats, but the subsequent decision to join hands with the BJP was taken without the knowledge or approval of the state leadership. The development has also drawn a sharp reaction from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who rejected the alliances and warned of action against BJP leaders involved. The controversy has raised questions over the legitimacy of the BJP-led alliance in Ambernath, which has sparked a heated debate in the state's political circles.
