The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar, now part of the opposition INDIA bloc, on Sunday advised Maharashtra cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal to join a new OBC outfit as its leader, assuring that he would support it, reported the PTI.

The Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Chhagan Bhujbal, belongs to the NCP group led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar which is an ally of the ruling coalition of Shiv Sena and BJP in the state.

Despite being a minister, the prominent OBC (Other Backward Caste) leader has opposed the government`s move concerning the Maratha quota.

“The OBC leaders have announced the floating of a new political outfit in the state. It is my advice to Chhagan Bhujbal to lead the outfit. VBA will support it socially and politically,” said Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr B R Ambedkar, in a post on X.

I hope Chhagan Bhujbal will heed VBA`s advice, said the Dalit leader.

Chhagan Bhujbal has been in the spotlight in recent weeks due to his opposition to the state government`s decision to facilitate the grant of Kunbi (OBC) certificates to Marathas, which he has labelled as a backdoor entry for the community into the OBC quota.

Recently, OBC leaders had reportedly met Chhagan Bhujbal over this issue, the news agency reported.

Meanwhile, last month, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance had announced the induction of Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) in its fold ahead of the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (UBT) are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

“The Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena have unanimously decided to induct VBA as a political ally. We are thankful for your stand to fight against autocracy,” Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole posted on X.

The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi led by Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of B R Ambedkar, has pockets of influence in some districts, including the Vidarbha region.

Queried on seat-sharing talks and the role of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) leader Prakash Ambedkar, Supriya Sule had said, “Prakash Ambedkar is an important leader and his views will be taken note of. He can help and guide us even at the national level”.

(with PTI inputs)

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