RPI gets 22 seats, wants more

The Republican Party of India (RPI), which had recently joined the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance, is unhappy with the seat-sharing formula being finalised for the upcoming civic elections.

The Republican Party of India (RPI), which had recently joined the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance, is unhappy with the seat-sharing formula being finalised for the upcoming civic elections.

Ramdas Athavale-led party has been allotted 22 seats of the total 227 in the Mumbai while the Sena-BJP will contest on the remaining seats.

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On Monday, a second meeting between senior Sena-BJP and RPI leaders was held at the mayor bungalow in Dadar (West) to resolve the seat-sharing crisis. However, the meeting failed to yield any result as the Sena-BJP combine, which governs the civic body, is unwilling to part with more seats. Athavale wants to field candidates from 40 seats.

In the last civic elections, Sena had contested on 156 seats and the BJP on 71 seats. To please its new alliance partner, the Sena-BJP is willing to give up seats from its share — 14 for Sena while the BJP is ready to part with eight. Following this arrangement, Sena will contest on 141 seats, BJP on 64 and RPI on 22.

“We are not happy with 22 seats and we will try to get more,” said a RPI leader. RPI leader Gautam Sonawane refuted that the deal has been finalised. He said, “The discussion on this matter will continue in the coming week.” As the formula is being discussed, there are disputes over constituencies. “We have discussed political situation of the corporator wards and will give an idea to all the three party high commands,” said BJP spokesperson. The next meeting will be held in the coming week.