Lok Sabha elections 2024: We’re banking on the Muslim vote, says Prakash Ambedkar

Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA) National President Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar is vying for the Akola Lok Sabha seat yet again. Of the nine times he contested the seat previously, he emerged victorious only twice, when supported by the Congress. Now, the party is going it alone.

You are contesting from Akola once again. You have won this seat twice and lost several times as well. How do you see the Lok Sabha poll campaign going?

Firstly, let me clarify that I am no stranger to Akola. The prevailing discontent among the people against the current regime will undoubtedly surface in the elections. The two main contenders against me, Congress's Dr Abhay Patil and BJP's Anup Dhotre, are newcomers to the political landscape here. Additionally, Patil is reported to have past RSS connections. I believe that traditional Congress voters will rally behind me. I am optimistic about securing over five lakh votes this time.

After unsuccessful attempts to ally with the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Ambedkar opted to go solo. In an interview with mid-day, the grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar expressed confidence not only about winning but also in emerging as the main Opposition party this time.

Prakash Ambedkar, the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi candidate from Akola district, at his residence Yashwant Bhavan at Dwarka Nagri, Akola on Thursday. Pic/Satej Shinde

You are contesting from Akola once again. You have won this seat twice and lost several times as well. How do you see the Lok Sabha poll campaign going?
Firstly, let me clarify that I am no stranger to Akola. The prevailing discontent among the people against the current regime will undoubtedly surface in the elections. The two main contenders against me, Congress's Dr Abhay Patil and BJP's Anup Dhotre, are newcomers to the political landscape here. Additionally, Patil is reported to have past RSS connections. I believe that traditional Congress voters will rally behind me. I am optimistic about securing over five lakh votes this time.

It is a triangular fight yet again this year in Akola between BJP, Congress and VBA. How do you anticipate the battle will unfold?
Yes, indeed, this is a triangular contest. However, it differs from the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the last election, Congress fielded a candidate from the Muslim community, resulting in the blocking of a significant portion of Muslim votes. This time, with no Muslim candidate against us, we anticipate garnering support from the Muslim community. Overall, including the Muslim votes and OBC votes, we anticipate receiving over five lakh votes. Muslims are decisively voting for me to defeat the BJP. So, if the current situation persists, I am confident of winning Akola this time.

There is a narrative in political circles in the state that this time the majority of the Muslim vote share will go to Congress or Shiv Sena. What are your thoughts on this?
While Chandrapur and Bhandara-Gondia do have a significant Muslim vote share, I don't believe it will overwhelmingly go to Congress. In Ramtek, the Muslim vote is expected to favour independent candidate Kishore Gajbhiye. According to a survey conducted during his visit to the region, former IPS officer Abdur Rehman indicated that Muslims feel Congress has been compromised in these regions.

Ambedkar addresses his supporters at a public meeting at Bhawani Peth, Akola in the Vidarbha region

The situation has changed drastically since 2019. What does this mean for the VBA and you as its leader?
Indeed, there have been significant changes between 2019 and now. The VBA is the only party that has remained intact without any splits or disturbances. As we contest 40 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, we emerge as the main Opposition party in the state. No other party, whether it's the BJP, Congress, or Shiv Sena, is contesting on as many seats as us. Therefore, we will be the primary Opposition force in Maharashtra.

You have been vocal about the BJP's alleged misuse of state and Central agencies in your campaigns. Can you elaborate on this?
A recent incident highlights the BJP's insecurity and fear. They ordered a raid on the hotel room of one of our representatives, Sarvajeet Bansod, in Bhandara. We conduct crowdfunding campaigns in our public meetings, and we have provided all the evidence to prove our innocence. Despite having evidence, they still conducted the raid to disrupt and intimidate us ahead of the upcoming elections.

You believe in the narrative that the BJP will change the Constitution if they win 400-plus seats? What are your thoughts on PM Modi's call for ‘400 paar'?
There's always a possibility, especially considering the RSS's pledge after the adoption of the Constitution in 1950. Changing the Constitution is upright in their mind. This was an agenda set in 1950. For that, you have to refer to a government of India document dated July 29, 1949, which is a document of agreement between RSS and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the home minister. So that is an old agenda.

However, achieving over 400 seats seems unlikely. I don't believe they will even secure more than 170 seats. According to me, BJP's narrative of crossing 400 seats is nothing but a mind-boggling game that he [Modi] played.

How do you think the split in parties like Shiv Sena and NCP will impact vote share in this election? Do you believe this will benefit you in any way?
Yes, it will benefit us. For instance, in Yavatmal-Washim and Buldhana, where it's Shiv Sena versus Shiv Sena, the split has left secular voters with limited options. I firmly believe that in these two constituencies, we are gaining significant support, especially with the Jarange-Patil Maratha versus OBC dynamic. We have extended our support to Manoj Jarange Patil.

1950
Year Constitution was adopted