RPI-A with BJP in poll-bound NE states: Ramdas
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 11 2023:
Republican Party of India-Athawale (RPI-A) president and union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale has revealed that the party is supporting the BJP in the all three states of the northeast region - Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, where state assembly elections are due later this month.
Addressing a press meet at Hotel Classic Grande here on Saturday, Ramdas Athawale, who is in Imphal to attend the inaugural function of the first NE Aero Sports Hot Air Balloon and Para Motors Fiesta, said that the party tried to join hands with the BJP in the previous elections conducted in the three states but could not get the right opportunity.
This time, the party would be contesting the election as an ally of BJP in eight seats each in Meghalaya & Nagaland, and four in Tripura.
In the remaining seats, the party will extend full support to the BJP candidates, he said.
Expressing confidence that the party will win all the seats it will be contesting in the three states, the union minister said that the party will support the BJP in forming the next governments.
At the same time, he will also talk with BJP leaders to form an alliance in the upcoming Imphal Municipal Corporation election.
Even if the talk fails, the party will fight the election from some wards and support the BJP in the rest, he revealed.
Ramdas further informed that the party's national general secretary Mahesh-war Thounaojam lost in the last state assembly election of the state with a narrow margin.
He (Maheshwar) is a prospective candidate and the party strongly believes that the next government in the state will be a coalition of BJP and RPI-A.Maheshwar Thounaojam and RPI-A north east in-charge Vinod Nikalje were also present during the press meet.