Lok Sabha elections 2024: Ramdas Athawale eyes Shirdi constituency in Maharashtra

Ramdas Athawale/ File Pic

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Ramdas Athawale, president of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), declared his wish to run from Maharashtra's Shirdi constituency, which he feels will considerably improve his party's chances.

In an interview with ANI on Saturday, Athawale said, "I think the Republican Party (/topic/republican-party) should get one seat in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Republican Party is present countrywide. People want me to come to Lok Sabha. I have repeatedly said that I am in Rajya Sabha till 2026 but people want me to come to Lok Sabha. So I feel that I should get a ticket from Shirdi to the Lok Sabha. I have lost there once. But the situation there is favourable now."

Athawale revealed that he had discussed his ambitions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda. He emphasised the importance of RPI obtaining at least one ticket, noting that failure to do so would not make a good impression on society.

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"The RPI needs to get at least one ticket, otherwise it will not give a good impression in the society. We have voters in villages. The Mahayuti government should discuss this. I have met Amit Shah and JP Nadda in this regard," the RPI chief told the news agency.

According to the report, addressing the seat-sharing talks between Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Athawale voiced optimism and claimed that their coalition is insufficient to confront Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He further cited that the recent exits from the Opposition alliances reduced their influence.

"We do not fear their alliance because it does not have enough strength to defeat Prime Minister Modi. They will continue slandering PM Modi and putting forth their arrogance before the people. People are happy with PM Modi and they are with us. After Nitish Kumar and Jayant Chaudhury came out of the alliance and with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee deciding to contest in West Bengal alone, it does not have enough fuel," he was quoted as saying in ANI report.

Per the ANI report, regarding the present discussions with farmers, Athawale stressed the necessity of compromise, stating that farmers should reciprocate when the government makes concessions. "Earlier the government decided to increase MSP on some important crops but the farmers demanded MSP on all 23 crops. Our Agriculture Minister is trying to reach a solution. If the government is taking some steps back, farmers should also come to a compromise. We will reach a solution soon," Athawale said.

Athawale also spoke about his recent trip to Lakshadweep, he said, "This union territory is very important from the point of view of tourism. Meanwhile, the demand of Indians for tourism in Maldives has also increased...Prime Minister Modi had appealed that Indians should visit this island for tourism, so I also went to Lakshadweep with my family."