RPI-Cong talks on: Prakash Ambedkar

NAGPUR, Dec 26: Prakash Ambedkar, leader of a faction of the RPI, has said that Congress President Sitaram Kesri and Sharad Pawar have agreed to consider seat adjustments with the Third Front factions, including the RPI and the Samajwadi Party, to ensure a one-to-one fight with the BJP-Sena alliance in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Ambedkar also announced that he would be contesting the forthcoming elections. Speaking to newspersons here on Thursday, Ambedkar said he talked with the Congress leaders recently and added that it was now for the Congress to decide the parameters of seat adjustments.

Declining to make any comments on the expectations of the RPI regarding the number of seats, Ambedkar remarked that the RPI will be happy with any set-up provided it is honourable. The RPI leader said that unlike the picture presented by the media, the BJP was not in a very strong position and the Congress and the Third Front taken together, which amounted for 60 per cent of the vote share during the last elections, were in a good position. Replying to a query about the factionalism in the party and its effect on seat adjustments, Ambedkar said "RPI’s President is Raja Dhale".