Ambedkar, AIMIM chief announce tie-up

Mumbai: Newly-formed allies Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Prakash Ambedkar-led Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh held the grand rally in Aurangabad on Tuesday. Mr Owaisi alleged in the rally that injustice was caused to Muslims and people from the backward classes during Prime Minister Nare-ndra Modi’s regime.

Addressing the first grand rally of the alliance, Mr Owaisi and Mr Ambedkar said that the alliance was essential for giving justice to the Muslims and backward classes. No one addressed the issues of both communities and their problems became grave during the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime, they claimed.

Mr Owaisi said, “The country doesn’t need the thoughts of RSS or Mr Modi but the path and thoughts of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Congress and NCP didn’t resolve the issues of both communities.”

Mr Ambedkar and Mr Owaisi announced the alliance in the grand rally and both parties will soon decide the seat-sharing formula. Mr Ambedkar was ready for the alliance with Congress, but refused to ally itself with the NCP as the party was “not secular”. Congress has not yet decided on an alliance with Mr Ambedkar.

AIMIM MLA Imitiaz Jaleel said the alliance “could cause tremors” on Maharashtra’s political terrain.