Aligned to the left, socialists and democratic outfits, Prakash Ambedkar, in the past two decades, was not able to make much inroads in electoral politics, repeatedly failing to make it from the Parliament constituency of Akola in Vidarbha. In the 1990s, Prakash Ambedkar took the initiative to unite all nine Dalit factions under one umbrella. Apart from Prakash Ambedkar, Ramdas Athavale, Yogendra Kawade and R S Gavai represented the Dalits in the Lok Sabha. But within one year, a leadership dispute led to a division within the Dalit front, resulting in sidelining of Prakash Ambedkar. There was no politics or a leadership issue.” According to him, RPI (A) workers led the bandh to support Prakash Ambedkar’s bandh call.

Source: Indian Express January 04, 2018 00:54 UTC