Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Jan 23: Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena has announced an alliance with Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) on Monday, ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
The dates for the civic poll have not yet been announced, but Uddhav’s Sena can be seen preparing for the Mumbai civic polls by joining hands with VBA. The two parties held a press conference to announce the development on Monday.
Sharing the stage with Prakash Ambedkar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that we have joined hands with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) to keep the democracy of this country alive.
Thackeray said, “Today is 23rd January, the birth anniversary of Balasaheb Thackeray. I am satisfied and happy that several people of Maharashtra wanted us to come together. Prakash Ambedkar and I am here today to ally.”
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“My grandfather and Prakash Ambedkar’s grandfather were colleagues and have a legacy of attacking the evils of society. Thackeray and Ambedkar have a history. Now their future generations are here to fight on the current issues of the country,” he added.
Thackeray also said that he is confident that Shiv Sena (UBT)’s alliance with VBA will be accepted by Congress and NCP and all will be a part of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
Meanwhile, Babasaheb Ambedkar’s grandson Prakash Ambedkar said the alliance marks the ‘beginning of a new politics’ in the country.
“As of now, it’s only the two of us. Congress hasn’t accepted the alliance yet. I hope Sharad Pawar will also join the alliance,” said Ambedkar.
Notably, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is currently hearing a dispute between the Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions of the Shiv Sena over the party’s poll symbol bow and arrow.