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RPI-Athawale ties up with Pawar Congress

The Republican Party of India faction led by former member of Parliament Ramdas Athawale will align with the Nationalist Congress Party and its allies in the ensuing twin polls in Maharashtra.

Athawale told reporters in Bombay, "Our intention is to defeat the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra and throw the BJP-led government at the Centre out of power at any cost."

Athawale's statement came in the wake of reports that differences had emerged in the NCP camp with its allies over seat adjustments.

The Communist Party of India has announced its decision to part ways following differences over seat distribution.

Former defence minister and NCP president Sharad Pawar has been trying to form a third front in the state with the support of the CPI, the Peasants' and Workers' Party, the Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party.

Athawale said his party has been allotted three Lok Sabha seats, and "I expect one or two more".

As for assembly seats, he said an understanding has been reached for 20 seats and he expects at least 10 to 15 more. "We want to contest at least one assembly seat per district," he said.

To a query on the party's election symbol, he said he was sure the Election Commission would allot the original RPI symbol of an elephant to his faction.

He claimed that 32 of the 51-member national executive and 43 of the 55 office-bearers in the Maharashtra unit are with him.

He, however, said that even if the Election Commission does not give his faction the RPI symbol, it would not contest on the NCP's symbol.

UNI

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