Journalism of Courage
Presents
Co-presented by
Associate Sponsor
Premium
Upset RPI (A) leader Athawale fields 39 candidates, feels BJP-Shiv Sena did not keep promise of alliance
RPI (A) president and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday expressed his disappointment for being ignored by BJP-Shiv Sena. As a protest, he fielded 39 candidates under RPI (A).
Athawale, whose party has a sizeable Dalit following, warned of consequences for ignoring his organisation. Of the total 11 per cent Dalit vote, RPI (A) had retained its 40 per cent following in the past several decades.
In a major setback to BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, Republican Party of India (A) has taken a decision to contest separately by fielding 39 candidates in Mumbai for the BMC polls.
RPI (A) president and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday expressed his disappointment for being ignored by BJP-Shiv Sena. As a protest, he fielded 39 candidates under RPI (A).
Athawale said, “The BJP and Shiv Sena had promised to give respectable representation from their respective quota to RPI (A). We were told our party will get at least 7 to 10 candidates. But they have failed to keep their promise.”
Athawale, whose party has a sizeable Dalit following, warned of consequences for ignoring his organisation. Of the total 11 per cent Dalit vote, RPI (A) had retained its 40 per cent following in the past several decades.
The Dalits are a force to reckon with in BMC polls with a population of 11 per cent. There are some wards especially in Dharavi, Chembur, Mankhurd, Ghatkopar, Bandra, Sion etc where it has good presence.
The RPI (A) is also upset as BJP/Shiv Sena leaders did not hold adequate discussion with them on BMC polls.
Despite sizeable Dalit population, Athawale over the years has been struggling electorally. In the last Lok Sabha and Assembly polls also RPI (A) suffered as BJP did not give them separate representation. Instead, it made RPI (A) to accept BJP’s party symbol and also candidates.
Story continues below this ad
Athawale himself is a Rajya Sabha MP from BJP quota. The BJP rewarded him RS seat for RPI (A)’s decision to have a pre-poll pact in 2014 Assembly polls in Maharashtra.
Currently, Athawale is Union Minister of State for social justice.
Advertisement
Loading Taboola...
Top Stories
Live Blog
Advertisement