Athavale demands four Council seats and four corporation chairmanshi

Mumbai, May 5 (UNI) Republican Party of India (A) President Ramdas Athavale today staked claim for three Legislative Council seats from the NCP and one from the Congress, apart from the chairmanship of four corporations.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Athavale said as per the agreement, his party should get this share from the two ruling parties in next four years, adding that he would call on Congress President Sonia Gandhi and NCP President Sharad Pawar on this issue.

''Had RPI not supported the Congress-NCP alliance in the last Assembly elections, it would have lost atleast 15 to 20 seats and Sena BJP would have come to power and if we do not get our share, we will not support the ruling coalition in forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections,'' Mr Athavale said.

He said as per the agreement, the RPI was assured of chairmanship of four corporations.

When asked how he was demanding one Council seat from the Congress when his party had an alliance with the NCP, Mr Athavale said his party did not contest three seats in Mumbai--Trombay, Chembur and Borivali--in last Assembly elections and instead supported the Congress since it had assured to give one Council seat.

While the biennial elections for the six council seats will be held this month, another ten seats would fall vacant by July.

Currently, only Minister of State for Housing Dayanand Mhaske is the MLC from RPI(A).

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