MUMBAI: Dalit leader Prakash
Ambedkar claimed on Thursday that the next
prime minister
will be from non-BJP and non-Congress parties, and not Narendra Modi. Ambedkar felt former PM H D
Deve Gowda of Janata Dal (S) will be the ‘dark horse’ after the results are out on May 23.
Ambedkar, who formed Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) with Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, contested all 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state and stood from
Akola
and Solapur. On the post-result political scene in the state, he said at Mumbai Press Club, “It is unpredictable. Wait till May 23.” However, he seemed confident that his party will win at least two seats. When asked from which seat he would withdraw once results are out, he smiled and said, “I do not want to answer this question.”
He said, “BJP may win 148-200 seats, whereas Congress may cross 100. The rest will be won by regional parties. Neither Narendra Modi nor
Rahul Gandh will be the next prime minster. Gowda has a better chance.”
He sarcastically remarked, “I have seen NCP chief Sharad Pawar in the race for PM candidate since 1990. So, he is there as usual. Apart from Deve Gowda, K Chandrashekhar Rao could be the second option for PM post.”
Ambedkar stated that he will support an anti-BJP government at the Centre. “We will be part of the government only if we get liberty in decision-making,” added the Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh leader.