In a bold political move, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday addressed a massive Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally in Ambernath, a key bastion of Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The event sent a powerful message just days before the crucial December 20 municipal council elections, turning the local polls into a high-stakes prestige battle between the ruling state-level allies.
Political Battle Lines Drawn in Sena Stronghold
The election campaign has intensified with both parties contesting separately at the civic level. Eknath Shinde has scheduled his own counter-rally in Ambernath for Thursday, setting the stage for a direct confrontation. Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis indirectly targeted his ally, Shiv Sena, without naming it. He asserted that Ambernath now requires a municipal council free from what he termed "intimidation, excesses, and non-transparent functioning."
Fadnavis appealed to voters to elect a BJP-led council, ending the Sena's long dominance. "We are not a party that indulges in ‘you-versus-me' politics. We move forward with a vision of development," the Chief Minister stated, positioning his party as one focused on long-term growth rather than petty squabbles.
Blueprint for Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development
Shifting focus to governance, Fadnavis highlighted his government's concentrated efforts on the holistic development of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). He criticized earlier UPA governments for concentrating only on Mumbai city while neglecting surrounding urban centres like Ambernath and Badlapur.
"After becoming chief minister, we consciously shifted attention to the MMR. We have sanctioned substantial funds for roads, water supply and basic infrastructure," he declared. Fadnavis revealed that development projects worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore are currently underway across the MMR.
He detailed major connectivity projects, including the work on a 370-kilometre Metro network through the MMRDA. Specifically for Ambernath, he announced that Metro Line-14, proposed between Badlapur and Kanjurmarg, would directly benefit the town, with work expected to begin next year.
Promises on Rail, Water and a Trillion-Dollar Vision
Addressing daily commuter woes, Fadnavis assured improved suburban rail services. He promised to take up the demand for extending 15-coach local trains up to Ambernath with the Railway Ministry and work towards increasing train frequency to one every 10 minutes. Drawing from his own experience, he envisioned future suburban trains being fully air-conditioned and enclosed, similar to Metro coaches, without a fare hike.
On the critical issue of water scarcity, exacerbated by rapid urban expansion, Fadnavis said the state has initiated the construction of two new dams, including the Poshir and Shilar project. These are slated for completion within two years to resolve the region's long-standing water problems.
Positioning the BJP as future-oriented, Fadnavis said the party aims to transform the MMR into a one trillion-dollar economy. He urged voters to elect BJP president candidate Tejashree Karanjule, arguing that stable local leadership is essential to accelerate this development.
The electoral contest is particularly sharp as the 59-member Ambernath Municipal Council falls within the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Eknath Shinde's son, MP Shrikant Shinde. Both parties are not only vying for corporator seats but are also fiercely focused on winning the directly elected president's post for the first time. The active campaigning by top leaders from both sides has undoubtedly made this one of the most keenly watched local polls in the region.
