Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said Wednesday that "there are allegations" that the BJP engineered the alliance between Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM and Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar's party.
AIMIM and Ambedkar's Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh announced a tie-up for next year's elections last month.
"There are also allegations that the BJP has stitched up this alliance so that the Congress does not get Dalit and Muslim votes in Maharashtra," Raut told a news channel.
He also said that though Prakash Ambedkar is a grandson of Dr B R Ambedkar, past few elections have shown that Prakash Ambedkar does not command much support among people.
"The experiment of Dalit-Muslim alliance is not new. But this alliance is against the ideals of Babasaheb (Ambedkar). Dalits will not accept such an alliance only for political gains," the Sena MP claimed.
If Ambedkar had ideological differences with the Congress and NCP, he should have allied with the Sena, Raut said.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app