Mumbai: Bombay high court on Monday remitted to the Thane collector a dispute over the formation of a political alliance to run the Ambarnath municipal council but not before commenting on the “globetrotting” behaviour of four Congress councillors who had changed sides to join BJP.The collector’s decisions de-recognising the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi (AVA) – formed after the BJP joined hands with Congress members, who were subsequently suspended by the party – and recognising the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP alliance as a pre-poll alliance in the municipal council before the court. The AVA had petitioned the HC and argued that the collector’s decision was illegal since it was a pre-poll alliance for all purposes including appointing subject committees.
On Monday, the Justice Ravindra Ghuge-led bench orally remarked that the Congressmen were “globetrotting”. They were first with AVA, “now with them (Shinde Sena) and after we pass orders they will go to someone third,” the bench remarked. “Does anyone want to suggest these four persons (referring to the suspended Congress members) shall file an affidavit taking a stand?” Through senior counsel Girish Godbole, the AVA submitted that the collector had recognised the alliance with 32 members on Jan 7. But on Jan 9 he recognized another Aghadi which included the same four Councillors who were already recognised as members of AVA, the counsel argued. With the matter reverting to the collector, the parties on Monday agreed to keep communications dated Jan 7 and Jan 9 in abeyance.Not going into the merits of the controversy, the HC directed the parties to appear before the collector on Jan 28 for a hearing. The collector will then have to pass a reasoned order within 21 days of closing the matter. The bench also noted that the subject committees in the civic body for issues such as public health, public works and education will not be constituted for 15 days after the collector takes a decision in the matter in order to allow the parties to explore legal options.
