Prakash Ambedkar woos AAP, seeks alliance

Noted Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar has written a letter to the Aam Admi Party, seeking a pro-poll alliance in Maharashtra. The AAP has already made it clear that it would not forge any pre-poll alliance.

The letter which was shot off to the AAP's state convenor Anjali Damania on Thursday sought to discuss the issue at the earliest for the mutual benefit of the two parties. Ambedkar, son of BR Ambedkar, heads the federation of 15 small parties – alled as Maharashtra Democratic Federation.

"The federation met on Thursday and the members came to conclusion that alliance would be helpful for the MDF and as well as AAP. Hence, we have written a letter to AAP," Ambedkar said.

The federation has no presence at national level though it has two representatives in the state assembly.

MDF contemplates to contest all 48 seats in the Lok Sabha. Ambedkar himself would contest from Akola constituency. "However, the final decision depends on the response of the AAP," said Ambedkar.

When asked if he or his federation identifies with the ideology of the AAP, Ambedkar denies, "No, we don't identify with their ideology. We seek alliance on the issue of corruption."

According to MDF leaders, the federation hopes to reap on anti-NCP votes mainly from the minorities. "We don't want these votes to be divided between AAP and MDF," said a leader.

AAP leader Mayank Gandhi said, "We are not forging alliance with any party as of now. However, some candidates like Medha Patkar are from other parties and groups but contesting from AAP ticket. We can have similar arrangement for MDF also."

With inputs from Ashutosh Shukla