Three Dalit parties support Congress-NCP in Maharashtra

Posted on 19th Mar 2014 05:30 am by admin

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.

Other news

Atal Setu: 'What is happening on Atal Setu...', people angry over construction of picnic spot just a day after inauguration

PM Modi inaugurated Atal Setu in Mumbai on January 12. Located in Navi Mumbai, it is the longest

Fifa Awards 2023: Lionel Messi became the best player of the year, and Aitana Bonmati won the award among women.

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has won the FIFA Best Men's Player award for the third time in t

The murder of social media influencer: Body found in a car in the parking lot of a private hospital in Bathinda, truth revealed after a foul smell

The body of social media influencer Kamal Kaur alias Kanchan Kumari was recovered from a car park

Lokah Chapter 1: Kalyani Priyadarshan's 'Lokah Chapter 1' continues to dominate the box office. Know the earnings of the 11th day.

It has been 11 days since the release of the Malayalam film 'Lokah Chapter 1' today on the second

IND vs ENG Playing-11: Suspense on Virat Kohli's playing in the first ODI against England, this may be the playing-11 of both the teams

After the T20 series between India and England, the ODI series will start today. The first match

President Greets Kuwait on National Day

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday extended greetings and felicitation

Third edition of Lucknow Literary Festival begins Friday

Lucknow, Feb 11 (IANS) The third edition of the Lucknow Literary Festival (LLF) will commence i

India could be a bridge with hostile countries: Israeli minister

New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Israel Thursday expressed hope that India could act as a "bridge" betwe

Jyoti Malhotra: Party with Pakistani officers...travelling, low income, and a luxury lifestyle; the system remained unaware of espionage

After Operation Sindoor, five alleged spies have been arrested one after the other from Haryana b

India vs Pakistan: These veterans, including Virat, came out in support of Arshdeep, the young bowlers were trolled for dropping the catch

If there is a match between India and Pakistan, then cricket is not limited to sports only. In th