RPI, SP raise stakes for tie-up with Cong

MUMBAI, December 18: The talks between Congress and its two potential allies in Maharashtra, Republican Party of India (RPI) and Samajwadi Party (SP), have not yet made any headway with the latter raising their stakes for the coming elections.

The RPI has sought 8 seats out of total 48 from the Congress but according to its general secretary Ramdas Athawale, the party would adopt a “flexible” attitude on seat sharing with the Congress. The SP’s Mumbai president Abu Hasim Azmi told press persons that the party has given a list to Congress claiming 10 seats, including three in Mumbai for entering into an alliance with it.

Senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar told press persons here today that his party had not received any word about seats from RPI or SP.