Despite hiccups, VBA agrees to take part in next meeting of MVA

Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said after the meeting that the MVA has now expanded. “Along with three main parties, the MVA will now have Aam Admi Party, CPI, CPM, Peasants and Workers Party, Samajwadi Party and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi,” he said.

According to sources, the MVA has finalised seat-sharing on 38 out of total 48 LS seats. “Rest 10 seats will be sorted out at earliest,” a leader from the Congress said, on the condition of anonymity.

On Tuesday afternoon, sparks flew between the MVA and VBA after the VBA nominee who attended the meeting walked out alleging that the MVA insulted and ill-treated the party and was made to wait outside the meeting hall for an hour.

While walking out of the venue, Dhairyasheel Pundkar, VBA vice president, said he proposed equal seat-sharing formula between the four parties and three issues which VBA wishes to focus on.

“We took an initiative and joined the meeting. But unfortunately, when we presented our party’s agenda during the meeting, we were asked to wait outside till they discuss on it. We were made to wait for over an hour’s time. The MVA should not have treated us like this. They have clearly insulted us. Now we do not know what they are discussing inside,” Pundkar had said.

“We asked them whether their seat-sharing formula is ready or not so that we can decide whether to discuss the seat sharing individually or collectively. Now, if the MVA doesn’t have a consensus on it, then we have our formula of equal seat sharing of 12 seats with all the four parties–Congress, Shiv Sena UBT, NCP and VBA. So you should talk about whether there is any consensus within the MVA (three parties including NCP, Congress and Sena UBT). If you do not have your own formula, then accept our formula of equal seat-sharing,” Pundkar said while walking out of the Trident Hotel in South Mumbai where the meeting took place.

The MVA on Tuesday sent a letter to Ambedkar announcing that the VBA is being included in the opposition alliance.

“Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP have agreed that the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi should join the Maha Vikas Aghadi, and accordingly the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has been included in the Maha Vikas Aghadi,” the letter addressed to Ambedkar, signed by Sena UBT’s Sanjay Raut, Congress state president Nana Patole and NCP state president Jayant Patil stated.

Ambedkar, who was in Washim to attend a function, however said he has not received any letter officially. Further, Ambedkar said they expect discussions on core agenda and seat sharing in the meeting. “VBA believes that all like-minded parties willing to fight BJP/RSS should unite. I have already cautioned them to avoid INDIA bloc like situation. We have to engage in dialogue on main agenda. Otherwise, MVA will go the INDIA bloc way which saw individual leaders and parties walking out.”