The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Maharashtra unit has plunged into an internal controversy after its state president took disciplinary action against a party legislator for forging an electoral alliance with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).
Show-Cause Notice for Undermining Party Mission
State BJP President Ravindra Chavan has issued a formal show-cause notice to party MLA Prakash Bharsakhale. The notice demands an explanation for the decision to form an alliance with the AIMIM during the recent Akot Municipal Council elections in 2025.
The strongly-worded notice accuses the local unit of acting unilaterally and damaging the party's core principles. A rough translation of the letter states that the alliance "undermined the Bharatiya Janata Party's mission and policy" and "tarnished the image of the party." It further charges that this was done without taking senior leadership into confidence and asks why disciplinary action should not be initiated.
Chief Minister Fadnavis Issues Stern Warning
The action against the MLA follows a clear and public directive from Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Fadnavis expressed strong disapproval of local alliances with ideological opponents like the Congress and the AIMIM for civic body elections.
Fadnavis explicitly stated that any pact with the Congress or AIMIM is unacceptable and against party discipline. He revealed that instructions have already been issued to dissolve such alliances and warned that action would be taken against local leaders who made such decisions independently.
A Pattern of Controversial Alliances
This incident is not isolated. The BJP's local units in Maharashtra have recently entered into several unconventional partnerships to gain control of municipal councils, often sidelining traditional allies.
In Ambernath, the BJP joined hands with its arch-rival, the Congress, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP under the 'Ambernath Vikas Aghadi' to form the council leadership, effectively pushing ally Shiv Sena to the margins.
Similarly, in the Akot Municipal Council within the Akola district, the party struck a deal that included the AIMIM and several other smaller parties, which directly triggered the current disciplinary row.
The issuance of the show-cause notice to MLA Bharsakhale underscores the central leadership's attempt to rein in local units and enforce a consistent political line, especially concerning alliances with parties perceived as being on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum.
