At RPI meet,demand to sever ties with Cong-NCP

The meeting was held primarily to discuss the performance of the party in the Lok Sabha polls.

Members of the committee vented their ire at the Congress-NCP for Athavale’s defeat in Shirdi,the seat the Congress had left from its quota for the RPI to contest.

Some of them alleged that the Congress and NCP leaders were responsible for Athavale’s defeat,while others felt it was only the Congress that had to be blamed.

Signalling a tilt towards the Sena-BJP,with which the RPI had no common ground so far,one member said that atrocities against Dalits had increased in the Congress-NCP rule.

“The Khairlanji massacre happened during this government’s rule. Such incidents were few during the Shiv Sena-BJP rule. Other than their (Sena-BJP’s) Hindutva ideology,there is much in common between us,” he said.

Sources in the party said Athavale is likely to meet Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray soon.

However,when contacted,Athavale was noncommittal. “The party workers expressed their views in the meeting. However,no decision has been taken so far,” he said. Asked whether any Congress or NCP leader had contacted him,Athavale said,“So far,no one has contacted us.”

The members were strong in their demand to sever ties with the Congress-NCP.

“We have been with the two parties for long. But,besides giving one or two ministerial posts,they have always used RPI for their own benefit,” said Hanumant Sathe,president of Matang Aghadi of RPI.

Sathe,however,was against any tie-up with the Shiv Sena-BJP. “It will be silly to go with Shiv Sena that had defeated Athavale in Shirdi. It will hamper the RPI as a movement. Instead RPI should contest independently to show its strength,” he said.

NCP state spokesperson said the RPI was an independent political party and was free to take its own decision. He felt the Congress and not the NCP should be blamed for Athavale’s defeat.

When Congress spokesperson Anant Gadgil contacted to comment on the developments,he said the issue would be discussed in the state executive meeting of the party this week. “Senior leaders will take a decision. It will be improper to comment at this juncture,” he said.