‘Uddhav Thackeray has diluted his stand against BJP and Eknath Shinde’: Prakash Ambedkar

Do you mean the VBA is better placed than the main opposition MVA in Akola?

You may not believe me. But the fight is between the VBA and BJP. The MVA is on weak ground. Look at Chandrapur, where the Congress is riven by internal squabbles. Bhandara… it was Nana Patole first and then someone else. Ramtek… Had it not been for our support, Nagpur seat would have been easiest for the BJP.

Why didn’t you support the Congress on seven seats as promised?

Nana Patole told us that he does not require our support. He is a betrayer… backstabber. When we extended our support to the party against Nitin Gadkari, he was so unhappy that he called us Devendra Fadnavis’ puppet. Shouldn’t you be happy for getting support? People like him have brought the state Congress to this level and the party’s top leadership does not talk to us. I am also amazed at the developments after the electoral bond scheme was exposed. It was a clear scheme of raiding and then taking money. Pharma companies selling banned drugs paying money… It just fits Sonia Gandhi’s ‘Maut ka saudagar’ remark against Narendra Modi but the Congress is absolutely quiet now. Unlike Bofors, we have documentary evidence of the scam and still there is no uproar from the Congress. Are you (Congress) afraid or have you conceded defeat?

What makes you feel so confident about VBA’s prospects in this election?

It is we who have created the space for secular votes. We have also given support to Manoj Jarange-Patil. In seats where both Sena factions are fighting, we have more chance of winning. The VBA has a very good chance of winning against the ruling alliance everywhere, compared to the MVA. We have not hurt them (opposition) as we are the main opposition.

Isn’t it contradictory on your part to attack Uddhav Thackeray as you were the first to ally with him?

He (Uddhav) was a strong opponent of the BJP initially, but started diluting his stand somewhere down the line. Not only against the BJP, but also against Eknath Shinde. Look at the weak candidate against Shinde’s son. There were so many strong candidates, but none of them were given the ticket.

Was caste your only criteria to give tickets?

First was to give diverse representation and be accommodative. Caste is a criteria for the BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP. Not for us. They pick candidates from dominant castes, ruling class. We pick candidates from peasant class. When I batted for Jarange-Patil’s candidature, they opposed. We are merely democratising the selection of candidates.

Do you think ‘Ab ki baar 400 paar’ slogan is a preparation to change the Constitution?

Changing the Constitution is on their (BJP) mind. There’s no doubt. It’s on the party’s mind since Independence. They want to accomplish it this time by crossing 400. But I doubt if the BJP will cross 170. Just look at the signs. They are finding trouble in fielding candidates in Maharashtra. What does it indicate? The narrative of 400-plus seats is only a mind game, which has already been busted. Again, we countered this family theme (Modi ka parivar). The only person who is not in Modi’s family right now is the one whom he married. Isn’t it against Hindu traditions? The Congress didn’t say anything. Only regional forces countered it.

What does the 2024 elections mean for the VBA?

We are a force to reckon with. People and strong candidates are coming to us. We are the main opposition party in Maharashtra.