With the Maharashtra Assembly Election results just hours away, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar has announced his party?s readiness to align with a party or coalition to form the next government in the state. The statement has stirred speculation about potential alliances in the post-poll scenario.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ambedkar wrote, "If the VBA gets the numbers tomorrow to support a party or an alliance to form the government in Maharashtra, we will choose to align with one that can form the government. We will choose power!"
Ambedkar's open declaration of interest in aligning with a winning coalition has drawn mixed reactions. Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai commented, "Jai Bhim! Babasaheb must wonder if this is what the social and political revolution is all about! POWER at all costs, Prakash Ambedkar? At least you are being candid now."
The VBA, under Ambedkar?s leadership, has fielded around 200 candidates across Maharashtra in the 2024 elections, reflecting its ambitions to emerge as a significant player in state politics. However, the party's track record shows fluctuating vote shares in past elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the VBA garnered a notable 6.98% vote share but managed only 5.57% in the Assembly elections later that year. Earlier this year, in the Lok Sabha elections, VBA contested 38 seats but failed to secure any. Despite this, the party secured 2.77% of the total votes polled.
The single-phase polling for all 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra concluded on November 20 with a voter turnout of 66%, the highest in three decades. Political observers believe the high voter turnout could bring surprises in the results.
Prakash Ambedkar?s statement hints at his party's strategic positioning in what is expected to be a tightly contested election. With both the Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena alliance) and Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena faction) vying for power, the VBA?s role could prove critical in the event of a hung Assembly.
The final outcome and the VBA's potential role will be revealed when the votes are counted on November 23, marking a pivotal moment in Maharashtra's political landscape.
