MUMBAI: Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders were stunned on Friday when Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) founder Prakash Ambedkar said the INDIA bloc has almost collapsed as most of its constituents have deserted it. Ambedkar made these remarks in the presence of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut and MPCC president Nana Patole after attending a meeting of the MVA.
A visibly surprised Raut reacted instantly, saying the INDIA bloc is still in existence.He said AAP and Congress have reached an understanding in New Delhi, and Mamata Banerjee has drafted an action plan to defeat BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. “Mamata has not left the bloc. In fact, she will be convening its next meeting. As part of strategy, a section of the constituents is contesting the polls separately,” he said.
Ambedkar said his view is that the MVA should remain intact and should not meet the fate of the INDIA bloc. “We are all determined to defeat BJP in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
I have suggested that the MVA leaders draft a common minimum programme, and once it is finalised, we will work on the seat-sharing formula. I am sure there will be no dispute on sharing of seats since our common goal is to defeat BJP,” he said. According to reports, Ambedkar has staked claim to six LS seats.