In a dramatic political showdown, the Shiv Sena has clinched the deputy president position in the Ambernath Municipal Council. This victory came after days of fierce negotiations and open clashes with its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Shiv Sena's locally formed Mahayuti alliance successfully elected its candidate, Sadamama Patil, marking a significant setback for the BJP in the region.
Strategic Moves and Hotel Politics
To ensure a smooth victory, both parties employed high-stakes tactics. The Shiv Sena kept its councillors secured in Thane, while the BJP housed its members at a hotel in Lonavla. This move aimed to prevent any last-minute defections that could sway the election outcome.
On Monday, the council premises witnessed heavy sloganeering and heated exchanges between leaders and workers from both camps. Shiv Sena MLA Shrikant Shinde personally led the alliance to the council for voting, demonstrating the party's commitment to securing the post.
A Clear Victory Margin
The strategy paid off handsomely. All councillors voted in unison, resulting in Sadamama Patil's victory by a margin of four votes. Patil secured 32 votes as the Shiv Sena Mahayuti candidate, while Pradeep Patil, the BJP-backed Ambernath Vikas Aghadi nominee, managed only 28 votes.
This contest highlighted the sharp rivalry between Shiv Sena and BJP in Ambernath, despite their alliance at the state and national levels. Both parties had previously contested against each other in the municipal council elections, setting the stage for this direct struggle for control of the civic body.
BJP's Initial Gambit and Subsequent Struggles
Earlier, the BJP had won the directly elected post of municipal council president. However, with just 15 councillors, the party faced difficulties in securing full control of the council. To overcome this limitation, the BJP stitched together the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi.
This alliance brought along 12 Congress councillors, four from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, and one independent. The unexpected alignment with the Congress led to political embarrassment for both parties, as it contradicted their usual stances.
Congress Suspensions and Shifting Alliances
The Congress later suspended its 12 councillors for joining the BJP-backed group. These councillors subsequently joined the BJP, giving the party confidence that its path to power had been cleared. However, the political equations changed dramatically after intervention by Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Acting swiftly, Shinde ensured that the four NCP councillors resigned from the BJP-backed group. This move was crucial in reshaping the alliance dynamics.
Formation of Shiv Sena Mahayuti Ambernath
Soon after the resignations, a new and legally constituted group named Shiv Sena Mahayuti Ambernath was formed. This alliance comprised 27 Shiv Sena councillors, four NCP councillors, and one independent, taking the tally to a decisive 32 members.
Sensing the shifting ground, the BJP issued a group whip on Sunday. It directed all councillors of its Aghadi, including the four NCP members, to remain present and vote in line during the deputy president election. However, the Shiv Sena argued that as per rules, councillors are allowed to leave a group within 30 days of its formation, which played to their advantage.
The election outcome underscores the intense local rivalries that can exist even within broader political alliances. It also demonstrates the importance of strategic maneuvering and timely interventions in municipal politics.
