BJP-Congress Unite in Ambernath to Block Shiv Sena Power Grab

• Rival BJP and Congress formed an alliance, Ambernath Vikas Aghadi, with Ajit Pawar's NCP, to keep Shiv Sena out of power in Ambernath Nagar Parishad.
• Shiv Sena won 27 seats, falling short of a majority in the 60-member assembly, despite being the single largest party.
• BJP's Tejasree Karanjule Patil defeated Shiv Sena's Manisha Walekar for the municipal council president post.
• The alliance was formed by local leaders to combat perceived corruption and ensure development, as BJP lacked a majority to govern independently.
• This unexpected alliance ahead of major city elections like Mumbai and Thane has surprised party workers.

Why It Matters: Political rivals BJP and Congress allied in Ambernath civic polls to prevent Shiv Sena from gaining power.