Maharashtra polls will see a shift from ‘save Constitution’ to ‘save reservation’: Prakash Ambedkar

Prakash Ambedkar: We have decided to contest the elections without any alliance. We will field maximum candidates across the 288 constituencies. Our focus will be on Dalits, OBCs, tribals, Muslims, and all oppressed segments across the state. It is true our performance in the Lok Sabha polls was below our expectations; we polled just 2.7 per cent of the total votes compared with 6.92 per cent five years ago. We are confident we will improve our performance in the state, which is heading for multi-party contests.

Q: Which will be the main plank in state polls?

Prakash Ambedkar: The state elections will be fought on a reservation plank. Broadly, there will be polarisation between Marathas and OBCs. Unlike in the past, the OBCs will become more aggressive in countering the Marathas’ demand for reservation within the OBC category. Along with that, we have reasons to believe that Dalits and tribals will also play a decisive role in determining the electoral outcome of the Assembly polls.

Q: Are you suggesting the “threat” to the Constitution remains an issue in state polls too?

Prakash Ambedkar: From “save Constitution”, there will be a significant shift towards “save reservation”. The message has reached the grassroots among the SC/STs. In the Lok Sabha elections, it was “save Constitution”. Now, the issue that is strongly emerging is based on the Supreme Court’s verdict allowing sub-classification of the Scheduled Castes due to inadequate representation of certain castes or communities. The verdict has antagonised the Dalits, who perceive this as being part of a hidden agenda of the Government and established mainstream political parties to end reservation.

Q: Why should anybody object to a verdict that calls for the uplift of the most backward within the backwards?

Prakash Ambedkar: Firstly, the Supreme Court has no right to decide on this issue, which falls under the constitutional jurisdiction. Secondly, who will determine the merit? Are there any parameters to establish when a certain community availing of SC reservation has achieved the stated objective of the reservation? If you remove certain communities from reservation citing the creamy layer, what happens to the quota in the absence of suitable candidates? Initially, the Matang community hailed the SC verdict, but even they are opposing it now.

Q: What are your views on the Chief Justice of India’s decision to create a new Lady Justice?

Prakash Ambedkar: It’s a good decision. The message that comes through is that everything will be done in accordance with constitutional rules. Both unfolding the blind and replacing the sword with the Constitution are in keeping with modern times. This seems to be a CJI initiative with conviction. I feel it has nothing to do with politics.

Q: Do you see a replay of the Muslim consolidation in favour of the Maha Vikas Aghadi?

Prakash Ambedkar: The Muslims will definitely not align with the right-wing BJP. What will be interesting to note is that, unlike in the Lok Sabha polls, where Muslims wholeheartedly supported the Shiv Sena (UBT), there will be a paradigm shift. From what I have come to know, Muslim organisations are seeking an undertaking from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party that it will remain within the MVA after the polls. There is suspicion in some quarters regarding post-poll permutations and combinations.

Q: What are your views on the Mahayuti government’s Ladki Bahin Yojana?

Prakash Ambedkar: It will have a limited impact. When it was launched, it had a huge appeal. However, other issues arose, such as the collapse of the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg (Konkan), which struck a chord among the masses. The hurt sentiments of people regarding the Shivaji statue will have some impact in the polls.