Civic polls: RPI out with ‘balanced’ list

Taking a leaf out of India’s foremost Dalit party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Republican Party of India (Athawale) listed three Muslims, one OBC, and one Maratha in its first list, which named 12 candidates for the BMC polls.

Of the remaining seven, five are Buddhists, one a Madiga, a scheduled caste from Andhra Pradesh and the other, a Charmakar. The RPI(A) is contesting 29 seats out of BMC’s 227 in alliance with the BJP and the Shiv Sena. From its quota, it will be giving two seats to the Dalit Panthers, led by poet Namdeo Dhasal.

RPI(A) chief Ramdas Athawale said he might include more people from other castes as his party had got requests for nomination from all sections of people. “Our basis for nomination is not caste but the work the person has done in his ward and for our party, and his ability to win in that ward,” Athawale said.

He said Marathas who are unhappy with the NCP were flocking to his party and seeking nominations. Asked if he would include Brahmins as well, he said while his party had Brahmin supporters, as of now no Brahmin had sought a ticket. “But if a Brahmin does ask, he will be considered on merit like any other,” Athawale added.

He said his party nominees would not withdraw from the race at the last minute, referring to the past when candidates stopped campaigning, allegedly at the behest of other political parties.