Twelve newly elected councillors in the Ambarnath Municipal Council, suspended by the Congress for aligning with the BJP after the polls, have formally joined the saffron party.
Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party president Ravindra Chavan announced the development at the BJP office here late on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) night, asserting the move was not motivated by power but driven by a shared commitment to development.
"The people elected these councillors and they had promised development to the citizens. They have come with us because the government is working in a dynamic manner and is capable of delivering justice and development to the people," he said.
Following the local polls held on December 20, the BJP joined hands with its arch-rival, Congress, under the banner of 'Ambernath Vikas Aghadi' (AVA) to form the Ambarnath Municipal Council (in Thane district) leadership, sidelining ally Shiv Sena, which emerged as the single largest party. The Aghadi also includes Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The AVA secured a majority of 31 seats in the 60-member local body. In recent elections, Shiv Sena won 27 seats, falling just four short of a majority. The BJP secured 14 seats, Congress 12, NCP 4, while 2 independents were also elected.
