Mumbai, October 23: Scheduled Caste leader Prakash Ambedkar, who has recently tied up with firebrand Muslim politician Asaduddin Owaisi, reiterated the latter's views on the ensuing controversy over singing Vande Mataram.

While addressing a rally in Parbhani on Monday, Ambedkar said such issues are being propped up by communal forces to divert the electorate's attention from the pressing issues of unemployment, agrarian distress and spiralling inflation.

"I won't sing Vande Mataram. When there is one national anthem already in the nation, why is there a need for another," questioned Ambedkar, whose Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh formed a coalition with Owaisi's All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in wake of the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Ambedkar reiterated his views on Vande Mataram, saying those who sing Vande Mataram are "anti-India".

"If I sing Jana Gana Mana then I am anti-India and if I sing Vande Matram then I am a true Indian? Who are you to give these certificates? I allege that those who sing Vande Mataram are anti-India," Ambedkar said.

Ambedkar, a former Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MP, had last contested in 2009. In the general elections next year, he would be entering the poll fray from eastern Maharashtra.

His party, BBM, is expecting tap the Muslim electorate in the region through Owaisi. At a joint rally held in Aurangabad earlier in the month, Owaisi had vowed to get him elected in the Parliament again.

"Babasaheb Ambedkar became part of the Constituent Assembly after Jogendra Nath Mandal asked him to contest from Bengal. The Muslims of Bengal considered him a messiah and voted for him. I promise my elder brother Prakash Ambedkar, the Muslims here would also send you to the Lok Sabha in 2019," the AIMIM chief had said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 09:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).