Pune – Prakash Ambedkar, President of the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA), has issued a stark warning regarding the future of reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) following the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Speaking from his hospital ICU bed after undergoing angioplasty surgery, Ambedkar emphasized the critical nature of the elections scheduled for November 20.
In his statement, Ambedkar, who is 70 years old, asserted that these elections could determine the fate of reservation policies in the state. “After the polls, the OBC quotas shall be struck off, and the Supreme Court directives on the creamy layer in SC/ST would be implemented, rendering many people unemployed,” he cautioned. He urged voters to ensure the election of as many VBA lawmakers as possible to counter these potential threats.
Ambedkar explained that the upcoming elections are pivotal for preserving the existing quotas for SC/ST/OBC communities. He specifically mentioned that the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directives on the “creamy layer” could jeopardize numerous job opportunities for marginalized groups. “The Assembly elections are crucial for everyone, and it is our responsibility to prevent these assaults on quotas. The people must vote for the VBA’s symbol ‘Gas Cylinder’ to protect their future,” he declared, despite appearing weak following his surgery.
Ambedkar was hospitalized on Thursday after experiencing chest pain and subsequently underwent an angiography, which revealed a small blockage in his right coronary artery. The angioplasty procedure on November 1 was successful, and while he has been moved to the ICU for recovery, VBA spokesperson Siddharh Mokle confirmed that his condition is stable.
Ambedkar’s health issues have temporarily sidelined him from active campaigning as the VBA prepares to contest a significant number of the 288 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. In his absence, the party’s state president, Rekha, along with the Election Coordination Committee and other departments, is leading the campaign efforts.
The VBA is entering the Assembly elections with hopes of making a stronger impact after failing to win any seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year. Ambedkar has been actively involved in candidate selection and alliance negotiations, facing significant pressures from two elections within six months.
In a further note of concern, this marks the second instance of cardiac issues for Ambedkar within three years; he previously underwent major heart surgery in July 2021, which left him incapacitated for several weeks. As the elections draw near, his health and the VBA’s campaign strategies will be closely monitored by both supporters and political analysts