Daijiworld Media Network - Ambernath
Ambernath, Dec 18: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday addressed a massive BJP rally in Ambernath, a stronghold of Shiv Sena chief and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, signalling an intensifying political contest ahead of the December 20 Ambernath Municipal Council elections. Despite being allies in the state government, the BJP and Shiv Sena are locked in a prestige battle after deciding to contest the civic polls separately.
Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis made an indirect attack on the Shiv Sena, stating that Ambernath now requires a municipal council free from “intimidation, excesses and non-transparent functioning.” Urging voters to support a BJP-led council, he said the party believes in long-term development rather than engaging in petty political rivalries. “We are not a party that indulges in ‘you-versus-me’ politics. We move forward with a clear vision of development,” he said.
Highlighting the BJP-led government’s focus on the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Fadnavis said earlier governments concentrated largely on Mumbai, while surrounding urban centres were neglected. “After becoming chief minister, we consciously shifted our attention to the MMR. Ambernath and Badlapur have received substantial funds for roads, water supply and basic infrastructure,” he said.
The chief minister noted that projects worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore are currently underway across the MMR. He said work on a 370-km Metro network has begun under the MMRDA, which would transform regional connectivity. Fadnavis announced that the proposed Metro Line-14 between Badlapur and Kanjurmarg would directly benefit Ambernath, with work expected to commence next year.
Assuring improvements in suburban rail services, Fadnavis said the state government would take up the demand to extend 15-coach local trains up to Ambernath with the Railway Ministry. He also promised efforts to increase train frequency to one every 10 minutes, adding that future suburban trains would be fully air-conditioned and enclosed like Metro coaches, without increasing fares.
On water scarcity, the chief minister acknowledged that rapid urbanisation has strained resources in the MMR. He said construction of two new dams, including the Poshir and Shilar projects, has been initiated and would be completed within two years to address long-pending water issues.
Projecting the BJP as future-oriented, Fadnavis said the party aims to transform the MMR into a one trillion-dollar economy. He appealed to voters to elect BJP’s president candidate Tejashree Karanjule, stressing that stable civic leadership is essential to accelerate development.
The Ambernath Municipal Council falls under the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, represented by MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Eknath Shinde, who is actively campaigning for the Shiv Sena. With both BJP and Sena eyeing maximum corporator seats and the directly elected president’s post for the first time, the contest has turned intense, with senior leaders from both sides stepping up their campaign efforts.