VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar was admitted to hospital after he complained of chest pain on Thursday morning. Sources said he has been admitted to the ICU and is being treated for a clot in his heart. In a post on X, VBA noted, “His condition is stable, and soon he will undergo angiography.”.
The Ambedkar family has requested that decency regarding privacy be followed at this time. Hence, they will not be in a position to speak to media queries or any other requests bestowed upon them in this regard.
The VBA declared that Prakash Ambedkar would be kept under medical observation for three to five days. During this period, the party’s state president, Rekha Tai Thakur, will lead the party’s campaign for the ensuing Maharashtra state assembly elections. The party’s Election Co-ordination Committee, Manifesto Committee, and Media and Research Department will provide support.
He is the grandson of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, who had an enviable reputation in the Dalit rights movement in Maharashtra. He started Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi to fight for the rights of the Dalits, Other Backward Classes, Muslims, and other underprivileged groups in the state.
Ambedkar has strongly advocated for inclusive politics throughout his life and placed the VBA as an alternative to mainstream parties, which he feels have failed to address social justice. He was a member of Parliament from Akola Lok Sabha constituency from 1999 to 2004 and, as such, has been involved in issues on social equity, economic reform, and caste-based discrimination.
On October 21, the VBA issued its fifth list of 16 contestants for the state assembly elections. Ambedkar explained that these candidates represent various communities and have been socially and politically excluded by the so-called mainstream political units.
He has strongly opposed the demand to provide separate reservations to the Maratha community from the OBC quota. Targeting all political parties for not making their stands clear on the issue, he showed concern about its aftermath on the OBC communities.
He also targeted NCP head Sharad Pawar over the latter’s demand to raise the quota limit to 75 percent in Maharashtra. Ambedkar termed the move “intellectual bankruptcy.” He said reservation must be treated as an issue of representation and not one of development and warned against shirking responsibility for ensuring a safe life for citizens.
