Ahead of the elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and various civic bodies in cities across Maharashtra, the Uddahav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena forged an alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) headed by former MP and late B R Ambedkar’s grandson Prakash Ambedkar in a development that seeks to change the caste equations in the metropolis and elsewhere in the state.
On a day when the two facings of the Shiv Sena celebrated the birth anniversary of late Balasaheb Thackeray by organising their programs, the son of late Sena chief, former chief minister and current party president Uddhav Thackeray announced an electoral alliance with the Prakash Ambedkar-led VBA in what looked like a “win-win” prospect for both the parties.
By tying up with the VBA, the Shiv Sena (UBD) -- which is a part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVS) -- has added one more party to the Opposition front.
Addressing a joint conference with VBJ chief Prakash Ambedkar, Uddahv said: “At this juncture, let’s not think about what will be the political situation tomorrow and how will we tackle issues on hand.
“Let’s cross the bridge when it comes. In view of what is going on in the country currently, we need to reach out to people at the grassroots. We need to stop the efforts by the ruling BJP to befool the people in low strata of the society by creating a rosy picture and holding out false promises. We need to stop this somewhere. That’s Shiv Sena (UBD) and VBA have come together”.
Alluding to a host of announcements and projectes launches made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Mumbai, Uddhav said: “Though newspapers and electronic media, we learnt who all came and from where all they came from. Come elections, they create a make-believe world, promising moon to the poor and downtrodden.
“Once the elections are over, the people are left for fend for themselves and they go back to their old ways. We need to stop all this somewhere.”.
Promising that the alliance forged by his party and the Shiv Sena (UBD) on the birth anniversary of late Bal Thackewreay would bring about a new change in Maharashtra politics, Prakash Ambedkar said: “ I am confident that our alliance will change political equalitions in the state. There have been precedents in the past where some parties tried to diminish and finish off their allies. But, it is people who will ultimately decide which political party or a formation they will support”.
On whether the Sharad Pawar-headed NCP will accept his party as part of the MVA, the senior Dalit leader said:: " I have no personal differences with Pawar. But, whatever differences I have are of political nature. I am sure that Pawar will accept my party as part of the MVA”.