RPI (A) to expand wings in UP, contest Delhi civic polls

Mumbai, April 5 :  The Republican Party of India (A), led by Union Minister for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale, is all set to expand its political base in Uttar Pradesh and contest the upcoming Delhi civic elections, a party official said here on Wednesday.

Following the rout of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the recent Uttar Pradesh elections, many office bearers and thousands of its activists are preparing to desert the party and join the RPI (A), claimed the official.

"Athawale will visit Lucknow on Saturday and hold a crucial meeting with over 300 RPI(A) office bearers. A long-term strategy will be chalked out to attract leaders and activists of the BSP and other prominent Dalit parties from each and every village in UP to join our party," he said.

Simultaneously, the RPI(A) has decided to contest 40 seats in the upcoming Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections for which it has already announced a list of 34 candidates.

Addressing a party leaders' meeting, Athawale alleged that Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party has failed to fulfil any of its promises made during the last assembly elections.

Hence, the RPI(A) has decided to enter the fray to arrest the AAP and eliminate the influence of Mayawati-led BSP from Delhi in the civic elections by contesting 40 seats, he added.

The Mumbai-headquartered RPI(A) is a constituent of the ruling National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, in Maharashtra and in various civic bodies in the state.