Akola (Maharashtra): Ruling out any pre-poll tie-up with the Congeress and NCP in Maharashtra, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi - the alliance formed by Prakash Ambedkar and Asaduddin Owaisi, has decided to field candidates on all 48 seats of the state.
Making the announcement in Akola district, Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of the architect of Indian Constitution Dr B R Ambedkar, and founder of the Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh, said no further talks would be held with the Congress to join the anti-BJP coalition.
"Several proposals were made for forging an alliance with the Congress but they hit a roadblock. We cannot negotiate further with the Congress leadership," he told reporters.
Asked how many seats his Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi would contest, he said, "We have already announced candidates on 22 seats and will declare the remaining names soon. We will contest 48 seats in Maharashtra."
Ambedkar is likely to contest from Solapur Lok Sabha seat against senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. BJP's Sharad Bansode defeated Shinde in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll from Solapur.
The consolidation of Dalit and Muslims votes in some pockets, especially in the Vidarbha region, had prompted the Congress and NCP to invite Ambedkar to join their 'grand alliance' against the BJP-led NDA.
But, Prakash Ambedkar was upset as the Congress wanted him to shun all ties with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi. According to the sources there were also differences over the number of seats. Ambedkar was demanding 06 seats but Congress was offering just 04. [With inputs from PTI]
For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App.
Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Lok Sabha Election 2019 Schedule: 07 Phase Polls, Voting for 1st Phase on 11 April
Andhra, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal state elections simultaneously with LS Polls
After Brazil, WhatsApp "Skewed" Elections stare at India
Amid drumbeats of war, Democracy should not become a casualty
What action against parties using anti-Muslim rhetoric, CEC has no answer
Salman Khursheed, Imran Masood, Saleem Iqbal in Congress 1st list for 2019 LS Polls
India Pakistan border trade resumes
Justice Kalifulla, Sri Sri and Sr Lawyer to mediate in Ayodhya case: Apex Court
Ayodhya Dispute Mediation Panel: Who is Justice FM Ibrahim Kalifulla
Why Terrorists Strike Whenever BJP Is In Trouble?
