BJP-Congress Shock Alliance in Ambernath Blocks Shinde Sena; Akot Sees AIMIM Tie-up

• BJP and Congress formed an unexpected alliance, Ambernath Vikas Aghadi, in Ambernath Municipal Council, Thane, to keep Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena out of power, despite BJP-Shiv Sena being state/Centre allies.
• Shiv Sena, the single-largest party with 27 seats, lost the municipal council president post to BJP's Tejashree Karanjule Patil, a major setback for the Shinde faction.
• Shinde camp leaders criticized BJP for an "indecent alliance" and "stab in the back," accusing them of undermining Shiv Sena by partnering with Congress.
• BJP vice-president Gulabrao Karanjule Patil defended the move, citing alleged corruption by the Shinde group and lack of response to broader alliance discussions.
• In a similar development, BJP also allied with AIMIM in Akot Municipal Council, Akola, forming 'Akot Vikas Manch' with support from other factions.

Why It Matters: BJP forms unusual alliances with Congress in Ambernath and AIMIM in Akot, challenging traditional political equations.