The communal clash which began in the state of Maharashtra had quickly spread to other parts of the nation, taking arms to defend their brothers.
Encouraged by the unity of the various Dalit groups in the aftermath of the Bhima-Koregaon riots, chief of Bharatiya Republican Party – Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) Prakash Ambedkar plans to encash it during the Karnataka state assembly polls. Though Ambedkar did not disclose his political strategy, he did indicate that poll battle would be against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Ambedkar, a former LS member, emerged as the only strong Dalit leader after the Bhima-Koregaon incident and the Maharashtra bandh by him. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis consulted him on December 4 about appointing a judicial commission and stopping combing operation. However, Ambedkar is not yet satisfied with the CM stating that Fadnavis has not yet fulfilled assurance to arrest Manohar Bhide and Milind Ekbote, against whom the complaint has been lodged of causing the riot. “Fadnavis has to follow the law and he has no way to arrest both Bhide and Ekbote,” he said. “It will his lookout whether there is a possibility of tension after arresting of Bhide,” he reiterated.
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Ambedkar, while replying to the possibility of arrest of Jignesh Mewani, a dependent legislator from Gujarat, said that he has no objection to Mewani’s arrest if Bhide was also arrested. All Dalit groups gathered under Ambedkar’s leadership and participated in the bandh. Ambedkar agreed, Dalits have united and now they will not need any leader. “I was the only Dalit leader who always stood behind this oppressed groups and will remain with them. The Dalits are awakened now and the tempo will continue in upcoming days,” claimed Ambedkar and said it will be reflected in the next polls. However, he did not respond on whether his party – BBM – will go with Congress or not.
“It is not possible to comment at this moment about political strategy of BBM. But, it is sure, our next mission will be Karnataka. The policy about possible alliance is yet to be decided,” he said. Karnataka Assembly’s term ends on May 28. Earlier, BBM had contested in Haryana state assembly poll. “We didn’t contest in Gujarat to avoid split of voting, but supported Jignesh Mewani,” said J V Pawar, secretary of BBM.
Meanwhile, Ramdas Athawale, RPI leader and union minister has said that he’s ready to resign from the ministerial post if all factions in Republican groups are ready to gather under one umbrella. However, Ambedkar rejected such a possibility and sarcastically said, “Who is Athawale?” “Athawale has lost faith of Dalit people and he will not dare to lose the benefits of being in power,” said Ambedkar.
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