MUMBAI: Despite reservations within the BJP, the 12 councilors in Ambernath who were suspended by the Congress for “anti-party activities” joined the saffron party on Thursday. Ravindra Chavan, state BJP leader, received the 12 councilors at an event and fielded questions not only from the opposition but also from within his own faction. The councilors were suspended by the Congress on Wednesday for forming an alliance with the BJP in the Ambernath Municipal Council. The prospect of political opponents forging an opportunistic local coalition had left the leaderships of both parties confused in their attempt to explain the situation. Congress and BJP councilors had formed a bloc called Ambernath Vikas Aghadi to maintain majority in the council and keep the Shinde-led Shiv Sena out of decision-making. A day later, at the hurried introduction of the suspended Congresswoman, BJP minister Ashish Shelar said that the issue was being discussed intensively within the party. He said his personal opinion was that “the Congress councilors should not have been inducted into the party”. Shelar told TOI, “Some people have made a mistake and will face consequences for it.” He added: “The issue is being discussed intensively within the party.”
