Various Dalit leaders in Maharashtra are apprehensive about the likely impact of Bahujan Samaj Party chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's rally in Mumbai on November 25.
"We expect over five lakh people to attend the rally where Mayawati will outline Bahujan Samaj Party's agenda for Maharashtra," party state unit president Vilas Garud said.
"Preparations are on for the event being held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. BSP workers from Marathwada, Vidarbha and western Maharashtra are converging for the rally," Garud said.
"Some disgruntled leaders sidelined from their respective parties are in touch with us," he said.
However, some leaders have dismissed this claim. Senior Republican Party of India leader Preetamkumar Shegaonkar, who is also a minister in the Vilasrao Deshmukh government, said Mayawati's rally would not have any impact on his party. "Our workers are loyal and dedicated and will not pay heed to others," he said.
B R Ambedkar's grandson and chief of Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh Prakash Ambedkar said leaders of various factions of the Republican Party should disband their groups and form a new party to propagate the ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
"Disbanding all factions and merging them to form a new republican party is the only way to reach the society with the message of the architect of the Indian constitution," Ambedkar said.
Ambedkar feels that Mayawati will have little impact in Maharashtra. "Today, the national leadership concept has become fractured. We now have state leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav who don't have any influence outside their states. Mayawati is such a leader," Ambedkar said.
"She tried to spread BSP's wings in Punjab and Gujarat, but failed. She will meet the same fate in Maharashtra," Ambedkar added.