Torn between Pawar and Sonia, RPI may split again

A group of party leaders, led by veteran R S Gavai, reportedly insisted on maintaining an alliance with the Sonia Congress while the party president, Ramdas Athawale, wanted a dialogue with Sharad Pawar for a tie-up.

According to information, Athawale and RPI general secretary Jogendra Kawade, both members of the dissolved Lok Sabha, are in favour of an electoral alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party NCP as they consider Sharad Pawar to be a force in the State.

Both the leaders reportedly referred to the recent NCP rally in Mumbai and tried to convince the executive committee members that it would be in the party8217;s interest to forge an electoral alliance with theNCP in Maharashtra. However, the move was strongly opposed by Gavai, who advocated an alliance with the Congress led by Sonia Gandhi. He was supported by Umakant Ramteke, a leader of the erstwhile Khobragade faction.

Athawale and Kawade8217;s supporters also took strong exception to Gavai8217;s statement last month that the RPI would forge an electoral alliance with the Congress. quot;How can Gavai make such statement when a decision in this regard is yet to be taken?quot; they asked.

Divergent opinions on the issue had led to the meeting being adjourned.

The date for the next meeting, however, was not fixed. Meanwhile, Athawale and Kawade are mobilising party workers for an alliance with the NCP. Pawar8217;s proximity to Athawale is well-known and the Athawale faction is likely to lobby for an alliance with NCP. This will, no doubt, be opposed by the Gavai faction and lead to another split.