Despite breakdown in talks with MVA, VBA to support Supriya Sule in Baramati

The Prakash Ambedkarled Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA) has announced its support for Supriya Sule, incumbent MP and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidate for the Baramati Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra.

The move comes despite the VBA deciding to contest the upcoming election alone following the breakdown in seatsharing talks with the Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress, and the NCP (SP).

Ms. Sule is pitted against her sisterinlaw, Sunetra Pawar, the candidate of the ruling Mahayuti. While the

VBA’s presence in the constituency is nominal, its support comes amid Mr. Ambedkar’s jibes at Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and State Congress president Nana Patole.

On receiving the VBA’s backing, Ms. Sule said: “I am extremely thankful to Mr. Prakash Ambedkar that he has given us his blessings.” She was, however, hopeful that the VBA could still jointly contest the poll with the MVA. “Discussions are still on… We are hopeful as this is a fight to save democracy and the Constitution.”

The VBA, which recently quit its alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT), has announced its support for the Congress in the Nagpur and Kolhapur seats. The party, however, has fielded candidates for 25 seats that the MVA is contesting.

Queering the pitch

The VBA has queered the pitch for the Congress in the Pune Lok Sabha seat by nominating former Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Vasant More, who recently joined the VBA.

While the BJP has fielded Murlidhar Mohol from the seat, Ravindra Dhangekar is the MVA candidate.

Hitting the campaign trail on Wednesday, Mr. More, who has served as a corporator for 15 years and held various positions in the cashrich Pune Municipal Corporation, said he would redress the divisions created by the BJP. He said he would also address the traffic, health, and sanitation problems in the city.

“I do not have a Narendra Modi or a Rahul Gandhi to back me, but enjoy the overwhelming support of the city’s public,” said Mr. More, who commands respect among Pune’s Muslim and Maratha voters.

Discussions are still on… We are hopeful as this is a fight to save democracy and the Constitution SUPRIYA SULE Baramati MP on the VBA’s chances of joining the MVA