RPI Demands Bigger Share of Power Ahead of Maharashtra Elections

RPI Chief Ramdas Athawale pushes for greater power share within BJP-Sena alliance, ahead of Maharashtra legislative assembly elections. He seeks 8-10 seats and key positions for RPI. Upcoming elections will see BJP-Sena's Maha Yuti coalition contesting against Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi.

In a bid to secure a greater power share ahead of the Maharashtra legislative assembly elections, RPI (A) Chief and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has reiterated his party's demand for key positions within the BJP-Sena led Mahayuti alliance. Speaking on Monday, Athawale disclosed that the Republican Party had handed over a list of 20 to 21 desired seats to BJP state President Chandrashekhar Bawankule a week ago. He emphasized that the RPI should be allocated 8 to 10 seats and receive a fair share of power.

Athawale further pressed for one of the 12 MLC seats appointed by the Governor to go to the RPI, along with two to three Maha Mandal President posts. "If RPI is part of Mahayuti, securing power would not be an issue as the political atmosphere in Maharashtra is different from that of the Lok Sabha," Athawale stated.

He also highlighted how Rahul Gandhi's anti-corruption statements in the Vidhan Sabha might benefit their alliance and expressed optimism about winning over 160 seats. "We may have faced setbacks in the Lok Sabha elections, but we hope to make significant gains in the Vidhan Sabha," he added. With the Election Commission yet to announce the dates, the upcoming elections will see the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition fight against the Maha Yuti Alliance.

(With inputs from agencies.)