RPI-A to contest Municipal elections on its own

Kolhapur, Dec 25 (UNI) The RPI-Athawale group would be contesting the upcoming municipal corporation elections at ten places, including Mumbai, on its own and would not have any alliance with the Congress or the NCP, its alliance partners in the Democratic Front government in Maharashtra, its leader Ramdas Athawale said today.

Addressing a press conference here, Athawale, MP, claimed his group has enough strength to win a majority of seats in the upcoming municipal corporation elections, except in Akola and Nagpur.

His group will share seats with other RPI factions if they expressed their desire to join hands with them.

The party would decide its strategy for the Zilla Parishad elections soon, he said.

Athawale said his party was ready for an alliance with UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi party in the upcoming State assembly elections if they accept the RPI formula on seat sharing. If it was not acceptable, his party will contest about 50 to 100 seats there, he said.

He reiterated that unity among all RPI factions was essential for the welfare of Dalit and others.

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