MUMBAI: The 12 Congress corporators who were suspended from the party for supporting the BJP-led alliance in the Ambernath Municipal Council, along with former Congress Block President Pradeep Patil, formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday. The induction took place in the presence of BJP Maharashtra state president Ravindra Chavan, marking a significant political shift in the city.
The suspended corporators were earlier part of an alliance between BJP and Congress members in the Ambernath Municipal Council, a move that enabled the formation of power in the civic body. However, the decision sparked controversy across political circles, as BJP and Congress are traditional rivals at the national level. In response, the Congress party took disciplinary action, suspending all 12 corporators and Block President Pradeep Patil for what it termed “anti-party activities.”Addressing the gathering during the induction ceremony, Ravindra Chavan said that BJP had carefully assessed the situation before welcoming the leaders into the party. “We first understood the issues and challenges faced by these corporators. Their intention was to join the ruling side in order to work for the development of the city and their respective wards. Keeping this objective in mind, we decided to induct them into the BJP,” Chavan said.Chavan further stated that BJP believes in development-oriented politics and that leaders who are committed to public service should not be discouraged for taking decisions aimed at improving civic governance. He added that the party would provide full support to the newly inducted leaders to ensure effective implementation of development works in Ambernath.The alliance between BJP and Congress corporators at the local level had earlier sent shockwaves through political circles, drawing sharp reactions from both parties’ leadership. While the Congress leadership termed the move a betrayal of party ideology, local leaders involved in the decision maintained that it was taken in the larger interest of city development.
