Maharashtra civic polls: BJP's Jiten Barethia wins councillor post with AIMIM support in Akot, says report

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed BJP to break the alliance with AIMIM

• BJP's Jiten Barethia became councillor with support from five AIMIM corporators
• Maharashtra CM Fadnavis ordered BJP to break alliances with AIMIM and Congress
• AIMIM denied alliance with BJP in Akola, leader called for clarification

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Amid the uproar over alliance between BJP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in Maharashtra, BJP’s Jiten Barethia on Monday became a councillor with the support of five AIMIM corporators of Asaduddin Owaisi’s party in Akola district’s Akot, according to Aaj Tak.

AIMIM corporators Afreen Anjum Sharifuddin, Dilshadbi Razak Khan, Reshma Parveen Mohammad Azim, Yusuf Khan Hadiq Khan and Hannan Shah Sultan Shah supported Barethia.

Last week, after it came to light that BJP unit had tied up with the AIMIM and Congress to gain majority control in two local bodies following the municipal elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed his party to break both alliances saying they were “not acceptable”.

“Alliance with Congress and AIMIM is not acceptable. It will have to be broken. Accordingly, directives have been issued. The matter will be looked into, and disciplinary action will be taken if anybody has violated orders. The BJP cannot accept an alliance with Congress or (AI)MIM. We have made it clear,” he said.

In Akot, elections were held for 33 of 35 seats. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 11 seats, followed by Congress (6), AIMIM (5), Prahar Janshakti Party (3), Thackeray-led Sena (2), VBA (2), Ajit Pawar-led NCP (2), Sharad Pawar-led NCP (1) and Shinde-led Sena (1).

The AIMIM had also denied any alliance with the BJP in Akola, with party leader Imtiaz Jaleel saying he was unaware of any such development.

Jaleel said he had asked local party leaders for clarification while making it clear that there will be no alliance with the BJP under any circumstances. He said if any AIMIM leader had spoken about an alliance, strict action will be taken.

The Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Polling is scheduled for January 15, 2026, with results to be declared on January 16. Nominations for these elections closed on December 30.