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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 Six-Decade Political Journey Untainted by a Single Stain

Veteran Congress leader and former union home minister Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, a towering figure in national politics for over six decades, passed away on Friday morning at 6.05 am at his residence, ‘Devghar,’ in Latur at the age of 91.


Known as a close confidant of the Gandhi family, Shivraj Patil Chakurkar stood apart in national politics for one rare quality: absolute integrity. In a political career spanning 60 years, he carried no allegations, no scandals, and no hint of corruption. His spotless public life became the defining feature of his statesmanship. With his passing, a six-decade chapter of clean and principled politics comes to an end. After stepping down as the governor of Punjab, he had withdrawn from active politics, choosing a quiet and dignified life away from the public glare.


Born on 12 October 1935 in Chakur in Latur district, Shivraj Patil began his political journey as municipal council chief of Latur (1966–1970) and was elected as MLA in 1972–1980, as a Lok Sabha MP, as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and as Union Minister for Defence, Commerce, and Science & Technology, and later as Union Home Minister (2004–2008). He also served as Governor of Punjab (2010–2015).


He had arrived in Latur from Delhi. He suddenly took ill. His condition deteriorated rapidly despite continuous treatment by his family physician and a team of experts at his residence, ‘Devghar.’ His health worsened after, and he eventually breathed his last at his home on Friday at 6.05 am.


Patil is survived by his son, Shailesh Patil; daughter-in-law, Archana, a BJP leader who contested the assembly election but lost to Congress MLA Amit Deshmukh; and two granddaughters.


No Misconduct

In political controversy, Shivraj Patil Chakurkar remained extraordinary. Not once in his 60-year political career was he tainted by allegations of corruption, misconduct, or factional politics. Known for his dignified conduct, he never indulged in personal attacks, neither in public speeches nor in private conversations.


Despite facing political opposition and even orchestrated defeats, Shivraj Patil never responded with bitterness. In the 2004 Lok Sabha election, he was defeated by BJP’s Rupatai Patil Nilangekar.


Though a Lingayat by community, Patil never allowed caste identity to define his politics. His leadership was accepted across communities, especially among Muslims in Latur, who held him in high regard until his final days.


His command over Marathi, English, and Hindi, along with his exceptional grasp of constitutional matters, made him one of the most respected parliamentarians of his time. Patil was known for his vast reading, meticulous study, and articulate presentation. He embodied secular values—not just in speech but in action. His demise leaves a void of a statesman who represented calm, civility, and constitutional dignity.


Shivraj Patil Chakurkar’s passing marks the end of an era in Latur’s political history, an era where leadership meant dignity, restraint, honesty, and service.


A spotless journey from municipal council chief to governor, untouched by caste politics or corruption, now remains a lasting tribute to a rare statesman. He had denied medical treatment for the last 15 days.


According to family sources, the last rites will be performed on Saturday, December 13, at 11 am. The funeral will take place at Warwati, behind the Latur MIDC area, on the outskirts of the city.


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