Three-conered contest in State polls

The Congress, then led by Sharad Pawar in the State, had forged a formidable alliance with the Samajwadi Party and the Republic Party of India RPI, badly defeating the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP combine with the RPI winning four seats. This time, the ruling alliance could only hope to improve over its previous performance with a split in the Congress and the RPI.

Athavale faction of the RPI and the SP are joining hands with Pawar8217;s Nationalist Congress Party NCP. Janata Dal, peasants and workers party 8211; constituting the third front 8211; are also holding seat-sharing talks with the NCP. The seat adjustments with allies would be formalised soon, according to State unit NCP president Chhagan Bhujbal.

The remaining factions of RPI-led by Jogendra Kawade, R S Gawai and Prakash Ambedkar have decided to throw in their weight with Congress.