Last Update: March 05, 2023, 23:55 IST
Congress leader Sharad Pawar. (PTI file photo)
The move was seen as an attempt by Thackeray to consolidate support among Dalits ahead of the civic polls in the state. Thackeray’s party is a constituent of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in which the NCP and the Congress are also part.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Sunday said that he was not involved in any talks between Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar.
On January 23 this year, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the VBA announced an alliance ahead of civic elections in several cities of Maharashtra. The move was seen as an attempt by Thackeray to consolidate support among Dalits ahead of the civic polls in the state. Thackeray’s party is a constituent of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which also includes the NCP and the Congress.
Days after the Shiv Sena (UBT) and VBA forged an alliance, Pawar had said that there had been no talks among MVA constituents about taking the Ambedkar-led outfit along.
Responding to a question by reporters on Sunday whether the NCP would join hands with Ambedkar, Pawar said, “I am not involved in any kind of talks between them (Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and VBA). My view is that Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena (UBT) should fight the elections together. Responding to Pawar’s statement, Ambedkar said, “Elections are not far, so things will become clear soon.” The fact is that Shiv Sena and VBA will contest the elections jointly.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)