The Bombay High Court termed shifting NCP alliances in Ambernath Municipal Council as “globe-trotting” and stayed the Thane collector’s recognition orders. A bench led by Justices Ghuge and Mantri ordered hearings of BJP, Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena.
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court referred to the political reshuffling of NCP members within the Ambernath Municipal Council as “globe-trotting,” while placing on hold the Thane district collector’s orders regarding the recognition and derecognition of alliances within the civic body.
A bench consisting of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Abhay Mantri directed the collector to hold a hearing for the involved parties BJP, Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena and issue an order based on the outcome.
In a light-hearted comment, the court described the actions of four NCP candidates who initially joined the BJP-Congress ‘Ambernath Vikas Aghadi’ (AVA) and later switched their support to the Shiv Sena as “globe-trotting.”
Following the municipal council elections on December 20, the local unit of the BJP allied with the Congress its traditional rival under the AVA to gain control of the council, sidelining the Shiv Sena, which had emerged as the single largest party. The AVA also included the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, a partner of the BJP in the state government.
The BJP succeeded in securing the council chairperson position through direct election, while the Shiv Sena claimed 27 out of 60 seats, making it the largest party, followed by the BJP (14 seats), Congress (12 Seats), NCP (4 Seats), and independents (2 Seats).
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On January 7, the Thane collector recognized the AVA as a ‘pre-poll alliance.‘ However, amid controversy over the alliance, the Congress suspended all 12 of its elected members, who subsequently joined the BJP. The four NCP members then aligned with the Shiv Sena, leading the collector to recognize their coalition as a “pre-poll alliance” on January 9, consequently derecognizing the AVA. This prompted the AVA to take the matter to the high court.
During the hearing of the AVA’s petition against the collector’s January 9 order, Justice Ghuge remarked,
“Today, these four persons (NCP members) are with him (Eknath Shinde), yesterday they were with someone else. They are globe-trotting. What if tomorrow they go with someone else?”
The court instructed all parties involved to submit their written statements to the collector by January 28, who is required to issue an order within 21 days of receiving them. Additionally, the collector’s order will not take effect for two weeks after it is made, allowing aggrieved parties the opportunity to approach the court.
The court concluded, dismissing the petition,
“Until then, the collector’s communications (orders) of January 7 and 9 shall be kept in abeyance,”