Maharashtra Election: Rashtriya Samaj Party To Go Solo, Snaps Ties With ‘Mahayuti’ – News18

Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP) on Wednesday snapped its ties with the NDA alliance “Mahayuti” and announced  to contest Maharashtra Assembly elections on its own.

RSP chief Mahadev Jankar, who was the candidate of BJP-led “Mahayuti” from Parbhani Lok Sabha seat in the Marathwada region, announced the party’s decision.

Jankar joined hands with the NDA before the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Who Is Mahadev Jankar?

Hailing from the Dhangar community, Jankar founded the RSP in 2003 and contested the Madha seat in 2009 and lost. In 2014, he faced Supriya Sule in Baramati Lok Sabha election and lost. However, he was made the MLC during the Devendra Fadnavis government and later appointed the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department.

Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will be held in a single phase on November 20, while the votes will be counted on November 23.

Maha BJP Meet Today

Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule informed that a a Central Election Committee meeting will be held today.

“I think that most of the seats in our party are settled…Right now there is not much left, very little is left and it is negligible. We have our seats, Eknath ji has his seats and Ajit dada has his seats. First of all, we will have to take a decision on those sitting seats, later we will have to take a decision on the remaining seats…We have learnt a few things after losing the elections (Lok Sabha),” he said.

RPI(A) Demands 21 Seats From Mahayuti

Meanwhile, Republican Party of India (Athawale) president Dr Ramdas Athawale has demanded 21 seats from the Mahayuti.

“I have written to Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Devendra Fadnavis demanding 21 seats. We should get 8-10 seats. Devendra Fadnavis has said that they will give some seats to the Republican Party. We have demanded that we should also get a minister berth when govt is formed. We will stay with Mahayuti. No matter how hard Maha Vikas Aghadi tries, Mahayuti is stronger in Maharashtra…,” he added.