VBA, 6 other parties admitted into MVA fold for '24 LS polls
TNN | Jan 31, 2024, 08.12 AM IST
MUMBAI: All speculations on whether the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) will be part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) or otherwise were set to rest with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday declaring that VBA will be part of the MVA for ensuing Lok Sabha elections. Along with VBA, Peasants and Workers Party, Samajwadi Party, Aam Admi Party, CPI and CPM and Janata Dal (United) were admitted into the MVA fold.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting attended by Sanjay Raut, Vinayak Raut (both Shiv Sena), Ashok Chavan, Nana Patole and Balasaheb Thorat (Congress), Jayant Patil, Anil Deshmukh (NCP) and D Pundkar (VBA).
"We have given a letter to Prakash Ambedkar, saying VBA will be part of the MVA. Ambedkar has agreed to attend the next meeting of the MVA on February 2, scheduled to be held in Mumbai," Raut said, adding there was no substance in the reports that nominee of VBA who attended the MVA meeting on Tuesday was ill-treated or insulted. "The meeting took place in a cordial manner. In fact, after the meeting, VBA nominee joined us for a lunch," Raut said.
Ashok Chavan said that in today's meeting, the discussion centered around mobilising anti-BJP parties in the state; there was no discussion on the seat-sharing formula. "We discussed on the allies and smaller parties. Admission of VBA into the MVA will give us further strength to take on the BJP in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections," Chavan told TOI.
Ever since the formation of MVA, there was a row over whether VBA should be admitted in the MVA or not. There were reports that Congress has reservations on VBA joining the MVA since in the last Lok Sabha polls, VBA nominees were the spoilers for the Congress, particularly in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. "We lost a few seats, since the VBA nominee secured more than expected votes," said a Congress leader.
In the recent past, Ambedkar had taken a hard stand against MVA, saying if no decision is taken then he will not hesitate to contest all 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting attended by Sanjay Raut, Vinayak Raut (both Shiv Sena), Ashok Chavan, Nana Patole and Balasaheb Thorat (Congress), Jayant Patil, Anil Deshmukh (NCP) and D Pundkar (VBA).
"We have given a letter to Prakash Ambedkar, saying VBA will be part of the MVA. Ambedkar has agreed to attend the next meeting of the MVA on February 2, scheduled to be held in Mumbai," Raut said, adding there was no substance in the reports that nominee of VBA who attended the MVA meeting on Tuesday was ill-treated or insulted. "The meeting took place in a cordial manner. In fact, after the meeting, VBA nominee joined us for a lunch," Raut said.
Ashok Chavan said that in today's meeting, the discussion centered around mobilising anti-BJP parties in the state; there was no discussion on the seat-sharing formula. "We discussed on the allies and smaller parties. Admission of VBA into the MVA will give us further strength to take on the BJP in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections," Chavan told TOI.
Ever since the formation of MVA, there was a row over whether VBA should be admitted in the MVA or not. There were reports that Congress has reservations on VBA joining the MVA since in the last Lok Sabha polls, VBA nominees were the spoilers for the Congress, particularly in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. "We lost a few seats, since the VBA nominee secured more than expected votes," said a Congress leader.
In the recent past, Ambedkar had taken a hard stand against MVA, saying if no decision is taken then he will not hesitate to contest all 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.