Athavale, MP, who rushed to Nanded in a last bid afford to convince the Ambedkar group, however, spoke in a mixed tone of threats and emotional appeals. Even as he declared his resolve to do everything possible to discourage people from participating in the convention, he appealed to Prakash Ambedkar to put his political potential to some constructive rather than destructive purpose.

Athavale and Ambedkar are engaged in a battle over the presidentship; of the party, which was formed as the result of coming together of many Dalit factions on December 6, 1995.

Ambedkar, has claimed that he hasalready held the organisation elections and that the president of the party would be elected at the national convention at Nanded.