The Bombay High Court sent a political alliance dispute back to the Thane district collector on Monday. The case involves control of the Ambarnath municipal council. Before returning the matter, the court made sharp comments about four Congress councillors who switched sides to join the BJP.
Court Criticizes 'Globetrotting' Behavior
A bench led by Justice Ravindra Ghuge observed the Congress members were "globetrotting." They first aligned with the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi (AVA). Then they moved to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP alliance. The bench suggested these four persons might shift allegiances again after court orders.
"Does anyone want to suggest these four persons shall file an affidavit taking a stand?" the bench asked during proceedings. The court referred specifically to the suspended Congress members whose political loyalties kept changing.
Collector's Conflicting Decisions
The Thane collector initially recognized the AVA alliance on January 7. This alliance formed after BJP joined hands with Congress members who were later suspended by their party. Just two days later, on January 9, the collector recognized a different political grouping.
This new alliance included the same four councillors already recognized as AVA members. Senior counsel Girish Godbole, representing AVA, argued this created legal inconsistencies. The AVA petition claimed the collector's decision was illegal since they constituted a pre-poll alliance for all purposes.
Court's Directions and Next Steps
The High Court directed all parties to appear before the Thane collector on January 28 for a fresh hearing. The collector must then pass a detailed, reasoned order within twenty-one days of closing the matter. The bench specifically avoided examining the controversy's merits, focusing instead on proper procedure.
All parties agreed to keep the January 7 and January 9 communications in abeyance temporarily. This means those decisions won't take effect while the collector re-examines the case.
Impact on Municipal Functioning
The court noted that subject committees in the civic body won't be constituted for fifteen days after the collector's decision. These committees handle crucial areas including:
- Public health
- Public works
- Education
This temporary pause allows parties to explore legal options if needed. The delay ensures no irreversible administrative actions occur during the dispute resolution period.
The case highlights ongoing political realignments in Maharashtra's local governance structures. The court's intervention emphasizes the need for clear, consistent decisions regarding political alliances in municipal bodies.
