Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) In a big boost to the Congress and the NCP, three Dalit parties Wednesday joined the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.
The Peoples' Republican Party (PRP) led by Dalit leader Jogendra Kawade, a former parliamentarian from Chimur, the Bahujan Republican Ekta Manch (BREM) led by Sulekha Kumbhare, who is also a former minister, and the Republican Party of India-Democratic led by K.T. Kamble joined the alliance.
Kawade, who was also a member of the legislative council, had quit in protest against the September 2006 massacre of four members of a poor Dalit family in Khairlanji in Bhandara district.
The three parties were welcomed into the alliance by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, state Congress chief Manikrao Thakre, Industry Minister Narayan Rane and city Congress chief Janardhan Chandurkar.
"We have to join hands and strengthen secular forces in the state and hence the PRP decided to support the alliance," Kawade said.
He, however, wondered why the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh headed by Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of B.R. Ambedkar, did not support the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance.
Kawade also lashed out at Republican Party of India-A chief Ramdas Athawale for joining the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance in the state.
"It is now important for all secular forces to come together to keep the communal forces at bay," said Chavan, welcoming the three Dalit leaders.
Kumbhare and Kamble appealed to the people to ensure that there was no split among the "secular votes" in the Lok Sabha elections.
The PRP, BREM and RPI-D are expected to be given a few seats in the assembly elections scheduled for later this year.
Deadpool 3: First look from 'Deadpool 3' surfaced, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman's cool avatar
Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman on Monday unveiled the first look at their upcoming action film 'Deadpool 3'. Reynolds shared the photos on Instagram, captioning it, "Don't blink." In
Coronavirus Updates: More than two thousand cases were found in the country for the fourth consecutive day, know in which states how many cases increased
The cases of Coronavirus (Covid-19 Cases in India) are increasing continuously in the country. In the last few days, more than two thousand cases are coming to the fore. The Health Ministry has
Nag Panchami 2023: Unique practice prevalent in Nagmani village of Damoh
In Nagmani village under Patera block of Damoh district, on the day of Nagpanchami, there is no embroidery on the stove. If someone puts a pan on the stove, immediately black snakes appear. Hundreds
Over 2,000 NCC cadets to participate in Republic Day camp
New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) Over 2,000 NCC cadets will participate in the Republic Day camp this year, including over 100 cadets from Jammu and Kashmir and 160 from northeast, it was announced
IPL 2021 Team Preview: The youngest captain of IPL will fulfill the dream of the Delhi Capitals, will get the trophy for the first time!
New Delhi The team of Delhi Capitals will try to fulfill the dream that was left unfulfilled last season. This time the team will be in the hands of Rishabh Pant, the youngest captain of the Indian
Now CPI-M demands Sugato Bose's removal from Presidency group
Kolkata, March 29 (IANS) The CPI-M Saturday said educationist Sugata Bose, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls as a Trinamool Congress candidate, should step down from the chairmanship of the
Kolkata police bust gang behind rape of Japanese tourist
Kolkata, Jan 2 (IANS) The city police Friday busted an inter-state racket operating in Kolkata and Bihar whose members had allegedly duped and raped a 22-year-old Japanese tourist in November,
Search in Tihar Jail after Musewala's murder, 'illegal goods' found from Lawrence Bishnoi's cell
A search operation is underway at Tihaj Jail following reports that Bishnoi was behind the murder of Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Musewala. It is reported that jail authorities have
Congress Releases Manifesto for Delhi Polls
New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) Cyber cafes for students, cheap power for domestic consumers and waiver on inflated water bills are some of the promises made by the Congress Friday in its manifesto for
Ministers, 'spiderman', IIM graduate file nominations in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 4 (IANS) An assortment of candidates ranging from a union minister to an IIM graduate, a celebrity hotelier and 'Spiderman' Friday filed their nominations for the six Lok Sabha