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By:

Dr. Abhilash Dawre

19 March 2025 at 5:18:41 pm

From suspension to defection

Eighteen days after the results, Ambernath politics takes a dramatic turn as Congress corporators flood into BJP Ambernath : Amid growing buzz around municipal elections in Maharashtra, the Congress party has suffered a major political blow in Ambernath. As many as 11 Congress corporators have quit the party and formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) within 24 hours of being suspended, dramatically altering the power balance in the Ambernath Municipal Council. The development has...

From suspension to defection

Eighteen days after the results, Ambernath politics takes a dramatic turn as Congress corporators flood into BJP Ambernath : Amid growing buzz around municipal elections in Maharashtra, the Congress party has suffered a major political blow in Ambernath. As many as 11 Congress corporators have quit the party and formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) within 24 hours of being suspended, dramatically altering the power balance in the Ambernath Municipal Council. The development has not only weakened Congress but has also dealt a significant setback to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.   The crisis began after Congress suspended 12 corporators for aligning with the BJP during the formation of power in the municipal council. However, since the corporators were suspended and not disqualified, their corporator status remained intact, legally freeing them to join another party. Taking advantage of this, 11 suspended corporators crossed over to the BJP, leaving Congress in a political bind described by party insiders as a case of “losing both oil and ghee.”   The situation within the Congress organisation in Ambernath has further deteriorated. Party sources say there is no one left to even occupy the Congress office, and discussions are underway about sending a lock from Mumbai to secure it. Ironically, the party office itself is reportedly under the control of former Taluka Congress President Pradeep Patil, who was earlier suspended for campaigning for Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) candidate Shrikant Shinde during the Lok Sabha elections. Patil was suspended at the time by then state Congress president Nana Patole.   Power Struggle In the Ambernath Municipal Council, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has 27 corporators, BJP has 14, Congress 12, and the Nationalist Congress Party 4. Despite being the single largest party, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) fell short of a majority. BJP capitalised on this situation by aligning with Congress corporators and the NCP to reach the majority mark, a move that triggered widespread discussion across the state and country due to the unusual BJP–Congress alignment. Congress’s disciplinary action against its corporators ultimately worked in BJP’s favour and against the Shinde Sena. Following the defection of the 11 corporators, BJP’s strength in the municipal council has increased significantly, while the Shinde Sena has been pushed further away from power despite having the highest number of elected members.   This political churn is being viewed as a warning signal for Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leadership. Ambernath is represented by MLA Dr. Balaji Kinikar, while Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is the local Member of Parliament. With party control firmly in their hands, the BJP’s successful induction of Congress corporators facilitated by state BJP president Ravindra Chavan is being seen as a strategic challenge to the Shinde camp.   Intensifying Rivalry BJP’s aggressive organisational expansion in Badlapur, Ambernath, and Kalyan-Dombivli has intensified tensions between BJP and the Shinde Sena. The rivalry between MP Shrikant Shinde and BJP state president Ravindra Chavan has now become increasingly open, peaking in December with both sides engaging in aggressive political poaching of former corporators and office-bearers.   List of Congress corporators who joined BJP 1. Pradeep Nana Patil 2. Darshana Umesh Patil 3. Archana Charan Patil 4. Harshada Pankaj Patil 5. Tejaswini Milind Patil 6. Vipul Pradeep Patil 7. Manish Mhatre 8. Dhanlakshmi Jayashankar 9. Sanjavani Rahul Devde 10. Dinesh Gaikwad 11. Kiran Badrinath Rathod

A sharp, entertaining mirror to Gen-Z

In an era where artificial intelligence quietly slips into every corner of modern life, "Chiranjiv Perfect Bighadalay" arrives as a timely, refreshing, and deeply relevant theatrical experience. Presented by seasoned theatre stalwart Chandrakant Kulkarni, the play captures the quirks, conflicts, and chaos of today's tech-driven youth with wit, emotional depth, and striking clarity.


Originally born as a one- act play that swept all awards at this year's Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad's state-level competition, the script by writer-director Vinod Ratna showcases remarkable observational humor. Ratna dissects the Gen-Z mindset - its overdependence on AI, its obsession with efficiency, and the widening emotional gap technology sometimes creates.


The play revolves around Apeksha and Anand, a young married couple navigating mis- matched priorities. Apeksha, an AI specialist, seeks flawless precision in life, while Anand drifts happily through the world with a "live and let live" approach. Their imbalance forms the foundation of the drama - until Chiranjiv, an unexpected catalyst, enters the story and flips everything upside down.


Vaibhav Randh we, as Chiranjiv, delivers a performance that is nothing short of electric. His timing, presence, and layered portrayal elevate the narrative far beyond a typical social satire. Samruddhi Kulkarni (Apeksha) and Shreyas Joshi (Anand) complement him beautifully, grounding the play with authenticity and emotional nuance.


Chandrakant Kulkarni's theatrical instincts shine through in the staging. His decision to retain the original competition cast allows the raw energy of young performers to radiate across the stage. The production is further enhanced by Rutuja Bothe's minimal yet effective set design, Abhipray Kamathe's purposeful lighting, and Kaladarshan Pune's evocative musical design.


"Chiranjiv Perfect Bighadalay" is not just a comedy it is a commentary, a warning, and at times, a gentle nudge to step back from the glowing screens that dominate our lives. It cleverly blends humor with introspection, ensuring audiences laugh, think, and perhaps reconsider their own relationship with technology.


In a theatre landscape craving fresh themes and fresh talent, this production stands out as bold, youthful, and extraordinarily relevant. A must- watch for every generation - especially the one convinced it is 'perfect.'

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