In a boost to the Opposition unity ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) – which is the INDIA block in Maharashtra –has formally inducted the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (MVA) into its fold.
Confirming the development, VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar said here on Tuesday that he would join the seat-sharing talks for the Lok Sabha polls, from the next meeting onwards.
It may be recalled that Ambedkar, who is the grandson of late B R Ambedkar had on January 25 rejected the invitation extended to it by the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for seat-sharing talks for the Lok Sabha polls. He had also accused Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Nana Patole asking him “not to play mind games” with the people of Maharashtra.
Subsequently, the Opposition MVA – which comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP ( Sharad Pawar) – had sent him an olive branch and prevailed upon him to join its fold.
After the reconciliation with him, the MVA, in its letterhead signed by state Congress President Nana Patole, his NCP counterpart Jayant Patil and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, sent a formal letter to Ambedkar, inducting him in the MVA.
“The country is going through a very serious situation. A country with a great democratic tradition is turning to dictatorship,” the MVA stated in its letter.
“People suspect in 2024 (Lok Sabha polls), if there is a different result in the country (and BJP comes to power again), this will probably be the last election. We know that the Maha Vikas Aghadi was established to change this situation and bring about change in the state and the country,” the MVA said.