With weeks to go for the Lok Sabha elections, Prakash Ambedkar, national president of Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangha (BBM), and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi appealed to minorities and masses to not vote for the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and be a part of the change instead.
In the wake of the Other Backward Class (OBC) protest gaining momentum in the State, representatives of minority groups such as the east Indian, mali and agri-koli communities shared the podium with the two leaders, in a rally at Shivaji Park that ended late Saturday night.
Mr. Ambedkar, who is also part of the alliance front Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, (VBA) said, “There are several important questions yet to be answered. It is time we acquired power and changed things.”
He said that the tiff with the Congress was not over seat-sharing, but ideological differences. “Our Constitution gives us social independence, which should continue. Congress must agree with our demands. Our doors are open,” he said.
He said free education and parallel banking facility for small professionals would be ensured if they come to power. “Everybody deserves equal and proper education. We will become the voice of minorities.”
Mr. Ambedkar also appealed against voting for builders. “After slum land, they are touching that of the koliwadas and gaothans. The Congress and BJP have good connections with builders. This is a government of thieves and builders. This election, we must ensure that we don’t vote any candidate who is a builder,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Owaisi criticised Pakistan for the Pulwama attack and asked Indian authorities to deepen focus on the region. “Pakistan’s mask of innocence should be thrown off. Till the Muslims of India are alive, mosques, temples, gurudwaras and churches will run smoothly. This is the spirit and beauty of our country. How did 200 kg of RDX land in Pulawama? Isn’t this a diplomatic failure? Were intelligence agencies eating Biryani? We don’t care about the threats of Pakistan. When it’s about India, we must unite,” he said.
Calling Mr. Ambedkar his elder brother, Mr. Owaisi said, “We are with SCs, STs, Muslims, OBCs, Kolis and everyone who needs us. If Ambedkarite thoughts are alive within you, stand by us. When Babasaheb Ambedkar gave us the Constitution, he spoke about equality and justice. We will give it to you and not the Thackerays, Fadnavises or Gandhis.”
Calling VBA an “organic party, he appealed Muslims to vote for the “alternative”. “There is an alternative now. Earlier Uddhav Thackeray said there will be no alliance, suddenly there is one. This is all drama. Neither Modi nor Rahul, but Prakash Ambedkar should be our leader this time,” he said.
