Prakash Ambedkar-Led VBA Joins Maha Vikas Aghadi Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls

The VBA, led by Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of B R Ambedkar, holds influence in specific districts, including the Vidarbha region.

File Photo Of Prakash Ambedkar

Source : PTI Images

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, comprising Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Shiv Sena (UBT), on Tuesday, announced the inclusion of Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) ahead of the impending Lok Sabha elections.

The VBA, led by Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of B R Ambedkar, holds influence in specific districts, including the Vidarbha region.

In an X post, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said: "The Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena have unanimously decided to induct VBA as a political ally. We are thankful for your stand to fight against autocracy".

आदरणीय श्री.प्रकाश आंबेडकर जी,@Prksh_Ambedkar @VBAforIndia pic.twitter.com/prp036Cu2S

— Nana Patole (@NANA_PATOLE) January 30, 2024

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut tweeted about the VBA's inclusion, stating that Prakash Ambedkar would participate in the MVA's upcoming meeting on February 2.

वंचीत बहुजन आघाडीचा आज महविकास आघाडीत समावेश झाला.
ॲड.बाळासाहेब आंबेडकर हे 2 फेब्रुवारी रोजी महाविकास आघाडीच्या बैठकीत सहभागी होतील.
वंचीत मुळे देशातील हुकूशाही विरोधी लढ्याला नक्कीच बळ मिळेल.भारताचे संविधान धोक्यात आहे. एकत्र येऊन संविधान वाचवावे लागेल.@Prksh_Ambedkar… pic.twitter.com/BpkyWDvlt9

— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) January 30, 2024

Amidst speculation over seat-sharing for the upcoming elections, Sanjay Raut had previously confirmed the invitation extended to VBA for a meeting with MVA constituents in Mumbai. Prakash Ambedkar had urged Shiv Sena (UBT) to consider an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections if seat-sharing discussions within the opposition MVA remained inconclusive.

Earlier this month, Ambedkar proposed a seat-sharing arrangement, suggesting that Shiv Sena (UBT) and VBA could contest 24 seats each out of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

NCP president Sharad Pawar had mentioned ongoing discussions with Left parties and Prakash Ambedkar's VBA for a coalition in the upcoming polls.

Highlighting Prakash Ambedkar's stand against dictatorial policies and disrespect to the Constitution, Raut assured that VBA's alignment with MVA is based on shared principles. He emphasized that VBA would not take any stance supporting BJP directly or indirectly.

The MVA had previously invited VBA to join the opposition alliance in Maharashtra, initiating discussions on seat-sharing. A letter signed by Nana Patole, Jayant Patil, and Sanjay Raut was sent to Ambedkar, urging senior VBA leaders to participate in the talks.