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The controversy erupted over the allocation of the Bhandara seat, reserved for Scheduled Castes. Ambedkarite activists argue that the seat should have gone to a candidate representing their ideology within the Congress, but this expectation was unmet
All the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra will go to the polls on November 20 and the counting of votes will be held on November 23. (Representational photo: PTI)
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole is facing flak from certain activists for being “anti-Ambedkarite” and “disregarding the community’s aspirations”. The controversy ahead of the November 20 state assembly elections erupted over the allocation of the Bhandara seat, reserved for Scheduled Castes. Ambedkarite activists argue that the seat should have gone to a candidate representing their ideology within the Congress, but this expectation was unmet.
At a press conference in Bhandara, prominent Ambedkarite activists, including Parmanand Meshram, Principal Puran Lonare, Pranhans Meshram, Advocate Nilesh Dahat, Pragya Nandeshwar, and Bhimrao Meshram, voiced their grievances. They strongly criticised Patole, alleging that his decisions reflect a pattern of marginalising the Ambedkarite community within the party.
“Patole has consistently taken an anti-Ambedkarite stance over the decades. Despite this, the community has failed to recognise his conspiracies. During the globally noted Khairlanji massacre, Patole undertook a padayatra from Khairna to Khairlanji, which displayed his opposition to Ambedkarite causes,” said Parmanand Meshram.
The activists claimed that while the Congress seeks the Ambedkarite community’s votes, it refuses to provide them with leadership opportunities. “Congress believes the Ambedkarite community will continue to support it simply because of its allegiance to the Constitution. This illusion must be broken. We will show leaders who deny us opportunities their rightful place,” Meshram added.
News18 tried to contact Patole for a reaction but he could not be reached.
The Bhandara constituency has over 90,000 Scheduled Caste voters, making them a significant electoral force. However, Ambedkarite leaders argue that the Congress has ignored this demographic by sidelining candidates representing their ideology. Instead, they allege, the Congress’s state leadership, led by Patole, engages in caste-based politics by favouring specific groups.
“The Congress leadership, especially Patole, has failed to live up to the ideals of inclusion and representation. This is nothing but casteist politics aimed at catering to select communities,” said another activist, urging voters to hold such leaders accountable.
The activists emphasised that the Ambedkarite movement was more than just a vote bank for the Congress. “Our community will no longer tolerate being ignored. It’s time for Congress and Patole to acknowledge our contributions and aspirations,” they warned, signalling potential electoral repercussions for the party in the upcoming assembly elections.
This development adds to the challenges for the Congress as it attempts to secure key constituencies in Maharashtra amidst growing discontent among its voter base.
