Chinks in RPI as Athawale aide goes with Sena - Times of India

MUMBAI: In a dent to BJP's plans to keep the junior allies together and hours after Sena mouthpiece Saamna lashed out at Ramdas Athawale of RPI for striking a deal with the BJP, Arjun Dangle, a senior RPI leader and close aide of Athavale, on Monday decided to part ways and support the Sena for the October 15 state elections.

"I differ with Athawale's decision. I think we should support Sena and help realize Bal Thackeray's dream of strengthening Shiv Shakti-Bhim Shakti in the assembly elections. After meeting Uddhav, Aditya and Sanjay Raut, I have decided to support Sena," Dangle said, emerging from a half-an-hour meeting with the Sena leaders.

Dangle has not been offered a seat but the Sena will support at least two candidates owing allegiance to Dangle in Mumbra and Chembur. In Chembur, Deepak Nikalje, brother of gangster Chota Rajan, is the RPI candidate, while Kundan Gote is standing from the Mumbra constituency.

Dangle denied that he had left the party because Athawale had refused to give him a ticket. "Athawale was giving me a ticket from Vikhroli. But it was too late. Anyways, I was involved in the distribution of tickets, so the question of not getting a ticket does not arise," he said. Dangle clarified that he is not joining the Sena but he took the step keeping in mind the future of Maharashtra and the Dalits in the state.

The BJP has put up candidates for 257 of the 288 assembly seats, leaving the rest for its junior allies, while the Sena has filed nominations for 286 seats.

Athawale expressed shock at the decision and said Dangle himself had advised him to go with the BJP.

"I am very hurt... I had sought advice from my party leaders. He (Dangle) was one of those who advised me to go with the BJP. I appeal to him to come back to the RPI," Athawale said.

He also denied striking a deal with the BJP and said even the Sena had offered him a berth in the Union cabinet.

"I have allied with the BJP because they are ruling at the Centre. I am on friendly terms with Sena leaders and after the elections, will strive to bring the two parties (Sena-BJP) together," he said.

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