The Republican Party of India (RPI) chief Ramdas Athavale on Friday met BJP president Nitin Gadkari signaling emergence of “Maha-uti” grand opposition alliance in Maharashtra. Athavale appears to have taken the decision to part ways with the Congress and NCP and shake hands with Shiv Sena and BJP with the sole purpose to expose the secular parties which he felt betrayed him in the recent past by ensuring his defeat in the last Lok Sabha elections.
At the end of 90 minutes meeting Athavale said, “The purpose of my coming close to Sena and BJP was to consolidate the forces against the Congress. The RPI wants to strengthen the opposition alliance to fight the Congress in state.”
Gadkari said, “In politics there are no untouchables. Anybody who is willing to fight the corruption against Congress government in state and centre are welcome to the BJP.” He said, “The meeting is not limited to elections. It is a larger agenda to fight Congress.”
Sources in the BJP revealed to DNA, “Gradually, RPI under Athavale’s leadership will become the part of the Nationalist Democratic Alliance (NDA) at centre. And in return we are likely to award him member of parliament seat in Rajya Sabha.” Athavala said, “I am going to meet Sena chief Bal Thackeray again. I realise there are common issues like price rise, corruptions where all the opposition forces will have to come together to expose ruling Congress.”
Athavale’s move to hobnob with BJP and Sena has created a flutter among the secular parties. The Congress and NCP leaders are worried about the consequences in the forthcoming local body’s elections beginning from November-December 2011. According to BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde, "Athavale who has sizeable following among the dalits will certainly help in strengthening the opposition. It will be a big setback to the Congress.”
