Lok Sabha Elections: Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar said on Saturday that the alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT) doesn't exist any longer. Ambedkar, whose VBA has been seeking to join hands with three Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, further stated that he would declare his next move on March 26.
The VBA chief, however, evaded a direct response on the current status of talks with MVA for the upcoming polls. Speaking to reporters, Ambedkar said, "I had asked Uddhav Thackeray that Shiv Sena (UBT) and VBA should first sit together and chalk out strategy for a joint political path, but that didn't happen. The VBA alliance with Sena (UBT) doesn't exist any longer," as quoted by news agency PTI. If the VBA and MVA alliance takes shape, then we will see, he further stated.
Last January, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and VBA, led by Ambedkar, grandson of Dr. BR Ambedkar, announced an alliance. According to PTI, Ambedkar also claimed that the internal strife in MVA allies- Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), and Congress- doesn't seem to end. He claimed the MVA never gave him a proposal of four seats.
Notably, VBA has been eyeing to join hands with the three MVA allies ahead of the polls. However, the seat-sharing talks with the allies have remained inconclusive so far.
Earlier this week, Ambedkar expressed his displeasure with Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), citing an “unequal attitude” towards his party, and offered support to the third MVA partner, Congress, on seven Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.
The VBA chief had said that a proposal to the grand old party is not only a “goodwill” gesture, but also an “extension of a friendly hand” for a possible alliance for the future. On being asked about the VBA's proposal for Congress, Ambedkar said on Saturday that the grand old party should tell him the seats where it needs the support of the VBA. He further stated that VBA will support Congress candidate Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj in Kolhapur.