Sharad Pawar shielded Milind Ekbote in 2001, says Parkash Ambedkar

Ambedkar’s party Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) has ruled out any electoral alliance with the BJP-Shiv Sena and the NCP for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections

Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar has alleged that NCP chief Sharad Pawar during the previous regime prevented any action against Hindutva leader Milind Ekbote who is allegedly the mastermind behind the Bhima-Koregaon violence as he is facing charges of inciting the violence on January 1.

Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar said had these groups been tamed before, incidents like Bhima-Koregaon would not have occurred.

He said despite recommendations from all quarters, Pawar, whose party had the home ministry in the previous government, prevented any action against Ekbote, who is leader of Hindutva outfit Samast Hindu Aghadi. “Ekbote was to be tried under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act and the police had finished all the formalities for this in 2001. However, Pawar interfered and did not let it happen. Had these groups been tamed before, incidents like Bhima-Koregaon would not have occurred,” said Ambedkar.

“Today Ekbote’s anticipatory bail has been rejected by the Bombay high court and despite this, the police department are not arresting him. This shows his clout with the present government,” said the Dalit leader.

However the NCP has rubbished the allegations as pack of lies. “Sharad Pawar never interferes with the work of his ministers,” said NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik. “Had Pawar interfered even Bhujbal would not have been able to arrest Bal Thackeray in 2000,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ambedkar’s party Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) has ruled out any electoral alliance with the BJP-Shiv Sena and the NCP for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This means, he has kept doors open for the alliance with the Congress.