Maharashtra: Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi Rejects Congress Invitation, Alleges Mind Games
Mumbai, 25th January 2024: The alliance dynamics in Maharashtra witness a twist as Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) led by Prakash Ambedkar rejects an invitation from the Congress to participate in seat-sharing discussions for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While the VBA had earlier allied with Shiv Sena, the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) standoff had delayed VBA’s participation in the Mahavikas Aghadi.
Congress, a key player in the Mahavikas Aghadi, extended an invitation to VBA to join the seat-sharing discussion. However, Prakash Ambedkar stated that he had not received any such letter and expressed his reluctance to attend the meeting. Ambedkar accused Congress Maharashtra State President Nana Patole of playing “mind games” and questioned Patole’s authority in decision-making for coalition and alliance-related matters.
The confusion deepens with conflicting statements from various quarters. Ambedkar points out the apparent contradiction between an explicit statement made by AICC In-charge for Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala, regarding VBA’s inclusion in Mahavikas Aghadi and the invitation sent by Patole. Ambedkar questions whether the AICC or the Congress high command has authorized Patole to make decisions regarding alliances in Maharashtra.
Ambedkar demands a more respectful invitation signed by the presidents of the respective parties in the Mahavikas Aghadi – Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena), Sharad Pawar (NCP), and Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress). Alternatively, he suggests an invitation from notable figures such as Ramesh Chennithala, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, or Mallikarjun Kharge, emphasizing that VBA will only attend a meeting called by these individuals.
The rejection of the Congress invitation adds to the uncertainty surrounding alliance dynamics in Maharashtra. The intricate interplay of political interests, conflicting statements, and power struggles among the alliance partners further complicates the path to a cohesive and united front for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
