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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

Malegaon Yatra: A Grand Confluence of Devotion, Culture and Commerce

Marathwada is a land sanctified by saints and valor, and nestled within this historic region is Malegaon village in Loha tehsil of Nanded district. Malegaon hosts one of the most vibrant and culturally rich fairs in South India. Beginning on Margashirsha Amavasya, the annual Malegaon Yatra has commenced this year on Thursday (December 18) and will continue till December 25.


With a legacy spanning nearly four centuries, the Malegaon fair has held exceptional importance since the Mughal and Nizam eras. From historical times, Malegaon has been renowned as a major centre for horse trading. Even today, traders from Telangana, Karnataka and across Maharashtra converge here. The village is also home to a magnificent temple of Lord Khandoba, revered as the family deity of Maharashtra.


More than a religious gathering, the Malegaon Yatra is a celebration of folk culture. Traditional art forms such as Kalgi-Tura, Vagya-Murali performances, Gondhal and Bharud come alive here. Tamasha and Lavani remain the main attractions, with renowned Tamasha troupes engaging in spirited performances.


Unlike many fairs limited to temple visits, the Malegaon Yatra offers much more. Agricultural exhibitions, traditional wrestling bouts and, most importantly, a massive livestock exhibition define its unique character. Thousands of animals are traded during the fair, making it the second-largest horse market in India after Rajasthan’s Pushkar Fair. Lakhs of devotees of all religions participate with equal enthusiasm, making the Yatra a powerful symbol of social harmony.


The fair serves as the backbone of the rural economy. Within just five to seven days, business worth several crores of rupees is transacted. Premium breeds of horses such as Chetak, Marwari and Punjabi attract astonishing prices. A significant donkey market also thrives here, drawing brick kiln owners and traders from other states. In addition, camels, bullocks, cows, goats and sheep are traded in large numbers. Agricultural weapons and food items witness brisk sales as well.


In times of distress, the fair provides vital economic support to farmers. Money earned from livestock sales is reinvested into agriculture. Farmers gain exposure to new seeds and modern farming technologies, while the fair also generates employment for local labourers. Earlier, agricultural goods were exchanged through the barter system; today, transactions are conducted in cash and via UPI. Where devotees once arrived in bullock carts, four-wheelers now line the roads, signs of changing times. The Malegaon Yatra truly stands as a symbol of rural prosperity and cultural grandeur.


Amid chants of ‘Yelkot Yelkot Jai Malhar’ and showers of turmeric, the annual Yatra commenced with great enthusiasm and traditional rituals. The ceremonial Dev Swari and palanquin worship marked the auspicious beginning of the fair. Lakhs of devotees gathered to witness and seek blessings during the palanquin procession on Thursday. As per tradition, the district administration welcomed the palanquins of Lord Khandoba and the designated Manakaris at the government rest house. Following the afternoon worship, the grand Dev Swari was taken out, during which the Manakaris were formally honoured.


The ceremony was attended by Cooperation Minister Balasaheb Patil, Minister of State Meghna Bordikar, MLA Prataprao Patil Chikhalikar, ZP CEO and Administrator Meghna Kavali.


The palanquin bearers and traditional custodians, including Ganpatrao Malhari Naik, Govindrao Nageshrao Maharaj, Venkatrao Marotirao Pandagle, Khushal Bhagwanrao Bhosikar, Govindrao Babarao Naikwade, Pandurang Narayanrao Patil, Malhari Raosahab Patil, Vijaykumar Shankarrao Kanakdande and Ambadas Khanderao Jahagirdar, were felicitated by the ZP.


The presence of Vagya-Murali devotees, Potraj performers filled the atmosphere with devotion. Thousands gathered to witness the intense and symbolic rituals performed by Vagya-Murali devotees in traditional attire.


The fairgrounds are now lined with stalls selling religious items, bullock ornaments, and various goods, while giant sky wheels have emerged as major attractions. This year, the ZP has implemented a plastic-free and clean fair initiative, supported by meticulous planning. Robust CCTV surveillance has been installed for security, and comprehensive healthcare arrangements have been made by the district health department to ensure the safety and well-being of devotees.


As the Malegaon Yatra unfolds, it once again reaffirms its place as a grand confluence of faith, culture and rural life.


(The writer is a journalist based in Latur. Views personal.)

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