Rashtriya Samaj Party To Go Solo In Maharashtra Assembly Elections

The Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP) has announced its decision to cut its ties with the NDA alliance known as "Mahayuti" and will contest the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections on its own. RSP chief Mahadev Jankar, previously a candidate for the BJP -led coalition in the Parbhani Lok Sabha seat, made the announcement on Wednesday.

Jankar, who has been an integral part of the NDA since aligning before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has now opted for an independent approach ahead of the state elections. He founded the RSP in 2003, representing the Dhangar community, and has faced electoral challenges in the past, including losses against prominent candidates like Supriya Sule.

Despite these setbacks, Jankar's political journey included a significant appointment as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) during the Devendra Fadnavis government, where he served as the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries.

As Maharashtra prepares for its 288-member Assembly elections on November 20, with votes to be counted on November 23, the political landscape is rapidly evolving. 

Maha BJP Meeting Scheduled

In related news, Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced a Central Election Committee meeting today to finalize seat allocations. He indicated that most of the party’s seats are already settled, with only a few remaining decisions pending. Bawankule emphasized the importance of lessons learned from previous electoral losses as they strategize for the upcoming elections.

RPI(A) Seeks 21 Seats from Mahayuti

Meanwhile, Dr. Ramdas Athawale, president of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), has formally requested 21 seats from the Mahayuti alliance. He expressed confidence in the coalition's strength, stating that despite the efforts of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Mahayuti remains formidable in Maharashtra . Athawale has also called for a ministerial berth should the government be formed post-elections, reiterating his party's commitment to the alliance.