Ambernath: The Shiv Sena has extended an alliance proposal to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite months of political confrontation between the two parties over control of the Ambernath Municipal Council (AMC). This move came shortly after the district collector ruled in favor of the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) group in the ongoing power struggle, delivering a setback to the BJP.
Political Context
Even after emerging stronger in the civic power equation, Shiv Sena leaders on Monday expressed willingness to set aside political differences for the larger interest of the city's development. At a press conference, Sunil Chaudhary, former municipal council president, and Abdul Sheikh, its former vice-president, along with other Shiv Sena corporators, formally proposed an alliance with the BJP.
BJP's Response
Gulab Karanjule Patil, a BJP leader, stated that his party will consider the proposal. "A meeting will be held soon over the proposal, and an appropriate decision will be taken after discussions," he said.
Background of the Conflict
Both the Shiv Sena and the BJP had been engaged in a power struggle since the civic polls five months ago. This struggle was driven by attempts to secure majority support amid political realignments involving NCP factions and the Congress party. During this period, administrative functioning and the resolution of civic issues allegedly suffered, prompting the current overture for cooperation.
—Pradeep Gupta
