Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar has said he was not involved in any kind of talks between Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar. On January 23 this year, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and VBA announced an alliance ahead of civic polls in several cities in Maharashtra. The move was seen as an attempt by Thackeray to consolidate support among Dalits in the state. Thackeray's party is a constituent of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance along with the NCP and Congress. Days after the Sena (UBT) and VBA forged an alliance, Pawar had said that no talks had been held among the MVA constituents about taking the Ambedkar-led outfit on board. On Sunday, while replying to a question asked by reporters whether the NCP would join hands with Ambedkar, Pawar said, "I am not involved in any kind of talks between them (Thackeray-led Sena and VBA). My point of view is that Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena (UB
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) head Prakash Ambedkar on Monday said his outfit will contest all elections in 2024 in alliance with the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are due in 2024. Polls to various civic bodies, including the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, are also overdue. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Prakash Ambedkar's VBA had announced a tie-up on January 23. Ambedkar had then said the alliance was between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the VBA for the moment, but he hoped other constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party) also join. In a big blow to Uddhav Thackeray, the Election Commission on Friday allotted the name Shiv Sena' and its poll symbol bow and arrow' to the group led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The EC allowed the Thackeray faction to retain the name Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the flaming torch' poll symbol, given to i
Uddhav Thackeray and Prakash Ambedkar had been in talks to forge an alliance for over two months
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Monday met Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar in Mumbai and said the alliance will be decided after fixing certain small issues. Reacting to Thackeray's remarks, Ambedkar said the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction will take a call on whether to induct the VBA into the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) or forge a separate alliance. He also said the expression "positive discussion" used by Thackeray while speaking to reporters about the meeting has no meaning but is akin to postponing (a decision on alliance). Earlier in the day, Thackeray and Ambedkar held a meeting in Mumbai. "The meeting with Ambedkar was a positive one. We will soon resolve the small issues and make an announcement regarding the alliance," Thackeray told reporters. Reacting to Thackeray's remarks, Ambedkar said the outcome of the meeting is perceived to be positive. "But I don't understand the meaning of the phrase 'positive discussion'. It is Shiv Sena (UB
Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, who heads a faction of the Shiv Sena, on Sunday alleged that the country was moving towards dictatorship and said he was ready to join hands with anyone who protect freedom. Thackeray said this during an event, where he shared the stage with Dr B R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar, chief of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), for the first time, and hinted at joining hands with him. The two leaders were together at the launch of Prabhodhankar.com, a digital platform to highlight the work of Thackeray's grandfather 'Prabhodhankar' Keshav Sitaram Thackeray. Speaking on the occasion, Thackeray said, "The country is moving towards dictatorship. There is a need to throw out people who are greedy for power. I am willing to join hands with those who want to protect freedom." "At present, the British policy of divide-and-rule is being followed," he said. Thackeray described Prakash Ambedkar as a person full of knowledge and ...
Speaking about state Minister Nawab Malik's arrest in a money laundering case, Ambedkar said such allegations have surfaced against ministers earlier as well
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi president Prakash Ambedkar on Thursday said his party will support the Maharashtra bandh called by some Maratha outfits on October 10 over the quota issue
VBA president Prakash Ambedkar claimed he has received information from the Maharashtra CM that places of worship will be reopened "soon" in the state, after the SOP are chalked out for it
This trap that the BJP has laid, of converting parliamentary democracy into a Presidential election, that is where we would be attacking the BJP, he said