May rethink alliance with BJP-Shiv Sena: Ramdas Athawale

Urging the BJP and the Shiv Sena to quickly sort out their issues related to seat-sharing, the RPI (A) – one of the five allies of the saffron alliance – has demanded the party be given at least 10 seats to contest in the upcoming assembly polls. The party was earlier adamant to contest 59 seats and has since lowered the demand to, initially, 20 and later, 13, over the past three weeks.

"BJP and Sena must resolve their seat-sharing fight and announce our share too. We must get at least double digit seats," read a press release of the RPI (A), quoting chief and Rajya Sabha member Ramdas Athawale, in Mumbai on Wednesday,

Though repeating his commitment to oust the Cong-NCP government, Athawale also sought to keep up pressure on bigger partners. "If my party gets only 4-5 seats, like the unofficial reports from Sena-BJP say, we may rethink the alliance," he said.

Athawale also again demanded a berth for him in the union cabinet, four MLC seats and a 15% share in power, should Sena-BJP come to power.

After inducting ex-babu Uttam Khobragade and IPS PK Jain earlier, the party is set to get 11 more IAS/IPS officers on Thursday, as per party spokesperson Mayur Borkar.