Sixteen parties including the RPI today floated the Republican Left Democratic Front to provide an alternative to the ruling Congress-NCP alliance and the Shiv Sena-BJP combine.
Two months ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, 16 parties, including the Republican Party of India, which is part of the Ashok Chavan government, today floated the Republican Left Democratic Front with the aim of providing an alternative to the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance and the Shiv Sena-BJP combine.
After the first meeting of the Front, which also comprises parties like the CPM, CPI, PWP, JD(S) and the Samajwadi Party, RPI leader Ramdas Athawale said the alliance was "not here to split votes, but make a serious attempt to capture power in the state".
He scotched speculation that he may not continue as part of the Front due to his closeness to NCP president Sharad Pawar. "There is no question of joining hands with Congress and NCP. It is likely that the two parties may not contest the elections together. In that case, we stand a good chance of winning some seats," Athawale told reporters.
Asked if he would instruct his colleague, state minister Pritamkumar Shegaonkar to resign from the Congress-NCP cabinet, Athawale said, "I will think over it."
Rajendra Gavai, another RPI leader, was asked whether his father RS Gavai, who was appointed Keralal governor by the Congress-led central government, would
resign, and said his father was not a member of any political party.
Gavai said the chief ministerial post would go to the RPI. The Front will sound its election bugle with a rally at Shivaji Park on September 12.
CPM state secretary Ashok Gavai said their "grand alliance" will contest all 288 seats in the state.
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