RPI Pushes for Mayor Post in Pune, Cabinet Berth in Maharashtra State Government
Pune, 2nd January 2025: Republican Party of India (RPI) President and Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale has reiterated his demand for a cabinet berth in the Maharashtra government, emphasizing that the RPI’s contribution to the Mahayuti alliance in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections has gone unacknowledged.
Addressing a press conference in Pune, Athawale stated, “Before the elections, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had assured us a place in the cabinet. Despite our unwavering support to the Mahayuti alliance, RPI has not been given its due share. I will soon meet the Chief Minister to press for our rightful place in the cabinet.”
Athawale highlighted that the RPI had played a significant role in securing the Mahayuti alliance’s success, yet it was overlooked in the distribution of cabinet positions during the past two-and-a-half years of the alliance’s rule. “Now is the time for RPI to be given representation in the state government,” he added.
Athawale also called for a larger share of seats for RPI in upcoming elections for gram panchayats, municipalities, and municipal corporations. He pointed out that in the last municipal elections, RPI had secured 12 seats as part of the Mahayuti alliance.
“This time, we will demand 20 seats from the Chief Minister and both Deputy Chief Ministers. Additionally, we want the mayoral post in Pune city to be given to RPI,” Athawale said. He also noted that while the BJP had previously given the post of Deputy Mayor in Pune Municipal Corporation to RPI, the time has come for greater recognition of the party’s contributions.
Athawale criticized the Mahayuti leadership for sidelining RPI during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. “It was announced that two Assembly seats were allotted to RPI, but the candidates contested on the symbols of BJP and Shiv Sena. They were not true RPI candidates,” he remarked.
He added, “The Mahayuti has received significant support across the state, and RPI played an important role in that success. This contribution cannot be ignored. We demand rightful representation in the cabinet and acknowledgment of our efforts in upcoming elections.”
Athawale affirmed that RPI would continue its alliance with the Mahayuti in local elections but stressed that the party expects greater respect and recognition within the alliance going forward.
