
Prakash Ambedkar hints at entry into Opposition alliance in Maharashtra
The Hindu
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar hints at imminent entry into MVA, but INDIA bloc doors remain shut.
Following his reported meeting with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar on January 1 hinted that his party’s entry into the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra was imminent, but stated that the doors for his induction into the national INDIA bloc still remained shut.
The VBA chief, who is the grandson of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was speaking on the sidelines of the 206th celebrations of the 1818 Bhima-Koregaon battle after paying homage at the ‘Jayastambh’ (victory pillar) at Perne village in Pune district.
Speaking on his alleged meeting with Mr. Pawar at the latter’s residence in Pune, Mr. Ambedkar said: “We [alluding to MVA parties] are all anyway going to come together. So, there will be official and unofficial meetings at different places and times between us. It is pointless speculating on such meetings now as they will be held more frequently henceforth.”
Mr. Ambedkar reportedly met with the 83-year-old NCP chief on Sunday night.
However, the fate of his induction into the Indian National Democratic, Inclusive Alliance remained nebulous, with the VBA putting the ball in the Congress’s court, remarking that it would have to decide when to give entry to the VBA.
“It is up to them to decide when to give us entry. The doors for the VBA [to be part of the INDIA bloc] are still closed. The day we become part of the INDIA, we will form a plan to expose how PM Modi has fooled his countrymen,” the VBA chief said.
Mr. Ambedkar is allied with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) in Maharashtra. The Sena (UBT) is, in turn, allied with the Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction as part of the opposition MVA coalition in Maharashtra.

The major attractions at its indoor pavilion (HALL-E) will be the LUH, Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT)-40 Simulator, scaled models of LCA Mk1A fighter, LCA Mk1 Trainer, Hindustan Jet Trainer (HJT)-36, HTT-40, LCH and ALH Mk IV. The scaled models of Hindustan 228 and its amphibian variant will also be displayed.