Digvijay Singh dismisses Shiv Sena-RPI alliance as 'opportunist'

The new political equation in Maharashtra, reflected in the alliance between Shiv Sena and the Ramdas Athavale-led faction of Republican Party of India (RPI), today drew flak from Congress, whose general secretary Digvijay Singh described it as an "opportunist" posture.

Referring to the much-talked about coming together of the "Shiv Shakti and Bhimshakti" in Maharashtra, Singh attacked Athavale for joining hands with the Bal Thackeray-led party, which he said, can never support the cause of dalits.

"It is an opportunist alliance. I know Athavale well but I condemn his hobnobbing with Shiv Sena which has insulted Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Shiv Sena can never support the Dalit cause," he said  while addressing party workers at Congress Bhavan.

Singh said Congress, which once had alliance with RPI (A), was in a strong position in Maharashtra, where the party is in power in alliance with Sharad Pawar's NCP.

Care should be taken to see that communal forces did not benefit in any fight between Congress and NCP in the state, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said.

He asked Congressmen to gear up for the elections to Pune Municipal Corporation scheduled early next year.