NCP, Sena & AIMIM join hands in Parli; draw criticism from opposition parties over ‘hollowness of its claims of ideological purity & rebellion’

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Fresh political alignments have emerged in the Parli Municipal Council of Beed district following post-election differences among Mahayuti allies. NCP, Shiv Sena and AIMIM have come together here to form a ruling group for the selection of the group leader, setting off strong political reactions.Shiv Sena (UBT) member and former Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve criticised deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde in a post on X, saying Shinde-led Sena's alliance with NCP and AIMIM in Parli had exposed the hollowness of its claims of ideological purity and rebellion. "Parli has revealed the true face of the new power structure in Maharashtra," Danve said, while tagging Shinde in his post.The NCP-Sena-AIMIM alliance has backed NCP taluka president Vaijanath Solanke as the group leader, sparking sharp criticism from Sena (UBT).The 35-member Parli Municipal Council has a fractured verdict. Sixteen seats were won by NCP, seven by BJP, six by independents, two each by Sena and NCP (SP), and one seat each by Congress and AIMIM. Despite contesting the civic elections together, BJP, along with two independents, chose to form a separate bloc.Explaining Sena's position, party's taluka president Vyankatesh Shinde told TOI that BJP, Sena and NCP had fought the municipal election as allies, but BJP councillors later opted to sit separately. "NCP emerged as the single largest party, and we supported it. AIMIM councillor later extended support on their own. We cannot be held responsible for that," he said.The alliance has assumed added political significance as AIMIM had, during the election campaign, levelled allegations against minister Pankaja Munde and MLA Dhananjay Munde. The inclusion of the AIMIM councillor in the ruling group despite these allegations has intensified the debate over political consistency and opportunistic alliances.The group leader selection was held in the presence of the Beed district collector. Vaijanath Solanke was formally elected leader of the NCP-led group, which comprises 24 councillors — 16 from NCP, two from Sena, one from AIMIM, and four independents. AIMIM councillor Sheikh Ayesha Mohsin was included in the ruling alliance.Meanwhile, BJP has decided to sit in the opposition by forming a separate group with two independents.