NCP chief Sharad Pawar during a discussion on B R Ambedkar’s book ‘The Problem of The Rupee’ at Y B Chavan Centre in Mumbai on Saturday. (Image source: PTI) Reigniting the possibility of him joining the Opposition’s INDIA front, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) leader Prakash Ambedkar on Saturday met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar over “a cup of coffee”. Congress termed it a good sign and a positive step towards VBA’s induction into the INDIA front.
Ambedkar and Pawar shared a table over coffee at Y B Chavan Centre during a programme marking the centenary of ‘The Problem of the Rupee’ by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Ambedkar later, while speaking to reporters, denied any political discussion during the meeting. “It was a very brief meeting and we shared a cup of coffee. There was no political discussion between us,” he said.
Congress Working Committee member and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said that it was a positive step and good sign. “It is my personal wish that VBA and MVA should join hands. Both Ambedkar and Pawar have given signs today by sitting together. It is a positive move and a beginning of dialogue,” said Chavan.
The Congress leader said that in future, positive steps should be taken so that both VBA and MVA come together. VBA has long been complaining that the Congress neglected it from alliance talks and did not invite it to join the third meeting of INDIA front. Both Congress and NCP have maintained silence on repeated claims by the VBA till now.