A day after celebrating the Mahayuti alliance's victory in Maharashtra, the Thane unit of the BJP dropped subtle hints on Saturday about possibly distancing itself from its ally Shiv Sena in the Thane Municipal Corporation. However, any such move would only happen after consulting the state leadership, according to party officials.
BJP Leaders Address Media on Party Performance
Addressing the media, BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar and district President Sandeep Lele described the party's performance in Thane and across Maharashtra as encouraging. They highlighted that the BJP made significant inroads in several Thane wards during the recent elections.
"In 2017, we chose to play the role of a chowkidar and would do so again if needed now, and stay out of power," they echoed, referring to the party's previous stance of acting as a watchdog rather than joining the ruling administration.
Focus on Transparency and Open Options
MLC Niranjan Davkhare emphasized that the party's primary focus remains on ensuring transparency in the corporation's functioning. He stated that all options remain open to achieve this goal, suggesting flexibility in the BJP's approach.
While political circles buzzed with theories about a potential fallout over the Mayor's post, the BJP claimed that "any decision" would aim solely at fulfilling its pre-poll promise of ensuring transparency. This statement came despite allies being upbeat until late Friday about appointing a Mahayuti Mayor to the Thane House and other corporations where they secured victories.
Historical Context and Current Dynamics
It is worth recalling that during the 2017 board, the BJP frequently accused the administration of corruption, which incidentally occurred during Shiv Sena's rule. The NCP also contested solo this time on a similar anti-corruption agenda, adding another layer to the political landscape.
Political circles hinted that the BJP could either play the role of opposition or ally with other parties. However, this possibility remains bleak considering Shiv Sena's majority of 75 seats in the 131-seat-strong Thane House, making any alternative alliance challenging.
Opposition Reaction to Alliance Tensions
Meanwhile, NCP-SP MLA Jitendra Awhad claimed on Saturday that if the allies were planning to split after claiming to be in an alliance for so long, it would be akin to cheating their voters. His comments reflect growing scrutiny and criticism from opposition parties as internal tensions within the Mahayuti alliance surface publicly.
The developments in Thane highlight the complex and evolving dynamics within Maharashtra's political sphere, with transparency and electoral promises taking center stage in post-victory negotiations.
