Shiv Sena parliamentarian Shrikant Shinde has launched a sharp critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), demanding an explanation for its recent alliances with the Congress and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in local body elections. The son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde questioned the BJP's ideological consistency, asking how it could share power with forces it has historically opposed.
Questioning Ideological Contradictions
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Shrikant Shinde, the Lok Sabha MP from Kalyan, directly addressed the media regarding the BJP's post-poll tie-ups in the Ambernath and Akot municipal councils. He stated that the onus is on the BJP leadership to clarify these decisions. "The media should ask BJP leaders about how and why these alliances were formed," Shinde remarked, emphasizing that the Shiv Sena has always maintained an ideological opposition to the Congress.
He invoked the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, recalling his consistent opposition to the Congress throughout his political career. Shinde positioned the rebellion led by his father, Eknath Shinde, as a stand against such political compromises. "If such alliances are happening today, the BJP is better placed to explain them. Our opposition to the Congress was firm and will remain so," he asserted.
Power vs. Principle: A Direct Challenge
Taking a pointed dig at the ruling coalition, Shinde noted that the Mahayuti alliance performs well at the Centre and state levels. "In such a situation, the question is, who are alliances being formed with at the local level?" he asked. He challenged the BJP's rationale, stating, "If power is being shared with those whose ideology we fought against, that is something the BJP must answer." He clarified that his party has not been part of any such arrangements.
Shinde also highlighted the Shiv Sena's electoral performance, claiming the party achieved the best strike rate in recent municipal elections. He stated the party secured the post of municipal president in 64 municipalities across Maharashtra, a feat he attributed to public trust in Eknath Shinde's leadership and the party's expanding reach into non-traditional strongholds.
The Alliances and Immediate Fallout
The controversy stems from two specific local developments. In Ambernath, the BJP formed the 'Ambernath Vikas Aghadi' with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), sidelining the Shiv Sena despite it being the single largest party with 27 corporators. The alliance, comprising 14 BJP, 12 Congress, 4 NCP corporators, and one Independent, totals 31 members, reaching 32 with the council president. BJP local leaders defended the move as necessary for a "corruption-free and fear-free administration."
In Akot, located in the Akola district of Vidarbha, the BJP established the 'Akot Vikas Manch,' allying with the AIMIM, which won five seats, the second-highest after the BJP.
The alliances triggered swift reactions from higher leadership in both parties. Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis ordered the party to exit the tie-ups, declaring them "not acceptable." Simultaneously, the Congress suspended its Ambernath block president, Pradip Patil, for forging the alliance with the BJP without informing the state leadership.
Concluding his remarks, Shrikant Shinde offered a cautionary note on the pursuit of power. "Power is not everything," he said. "What matters is how people view these decisions. Aligning again with the very forces against which the movement was launched raises serious questions, and senior leaders must make an appropriate decision."
