Alliance With Congress-NCP Won't Happen Unless There's Action Taken Against RSS: BBM Chief Prakash Ambedkar

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) President Prakash Ambedkar at a press conference on Sunday said that unless the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) together give a proposal for action against Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he wouldn't be in favour of an alliance.

Besides the demand for 12 seats, Ambedkar wants a written assurance from the Congress to bring the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the ambit of the Constitution.

RSS is a fascist organisation which does not follow our Constitution. As we are fighting against it for years, we want the Congress to come up with a proposal to take action against it and make them follow the Constitution. Until then, we have decided we won’t join hands with them for the elections," Prakash Ambedkar. 

The Congress and NCP has held at least six meetings with BBM, urging Ambedkar to join the alliance in their fight against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Alliance with Ambedkar, grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, has emotional value among Dalit voters. He enjoys following in parts of Vidarbha, including Akola. Ambedkar refuted the claims that his decision of not contesting with the Congress and NCP will be of advantage to the ruling BJP.

The BJP is not in a position to win the polls, as they won’t get 12 per cent Dhangar votes in the state in the ensuing polls. Without the support of Dhangars, it is impossible for the BJP to secure the aspired number of seats in Maharashtra

Ambedkar has already formed Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), an alliance of small parties, including Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), for the Lok Sabha elections.

He said that his party would give Lok Sabha tickets to Koli, Bhandari and Agari communities since he believes that they are capable of developing their lands. They will be given ticket in Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Raigad, Maval, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. If the alliance would not take place between BBM and the Congress-NCP, the saffron parties will be the beneficiaries in the election, he said.