Mumbai, Dec 30 (NationPress) In a notable setback for the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition, Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale declared on Tuesday that his party, the Republican Party of India (A), will independently participate in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

Accusing the Mahayuti alliance of "betrayal" over seat-sharing, Athawale unveiled a roster of 39 candidates, indicating a significant division just hours before the nomination cutoff.

Interestingly, Tuesday marked the final day for submitting nominations for the 227-member BMC elections scheduled for January 15. The party has nominated candidates throughout various regions of North, North-Central, North-West, and North-East Mumbai.

Despite numerous warnings and discussions at high levels, the RPI (A) reportedly remained in uncertainty until the last moments of seat negotiations. Athawale charged that the Mahayuti alliance neglected its promises. Although Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier stated that seats would be allocated to the RPI from the BJP’s quota, no action was taken.

"The BJP and the Shinde faction assured us of seven seats. However, not a single RPI candidate appeared in the official lists from either party. As a result, we have opted to compete on our own terms," Athawale informed reporters.

Athawale took to X to elaborate on RPI (A)'s decision to go solo in the BMC elections. He remarked, “The BJP proposed merely 7 seats late Monday night, but fielding candidates in new areas at the last moment is now unfeasible. Even though our presence in Mumbai is stronger than that of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), we were excluded from the seat-sharing discussions, which has led to significant discontent among RPI supporters throughout Maharashtra. Unlike other leaders who frequently change their statements for convenience, we remain steadfast. We cannot compromise our party’s integrity and the dignity of our workers, as their strength is the essence of our party. Hence, we will not adopt any position that jeopardizes our workers' respect and the party's survival. Our commitment and loyalty are unwavering.”

He further articulated, “From a broader perspective, it is crucial for the Ambedkari community to engage in governance and ensure continuous progress for the common populace. With this seriousness in mind, we have decided to remain with the MahaYuti. Many more decisions may follow the election results, but it is evident that we will engage in 'friendly contests' on 38 to 39 seats. While our support for the MahaYuti is firm, we will showcase our strength in these areas.”

Political analysts suggest that RPI A’s decision poses a considerable challenge for the Mahayuti. The Ambedkarite community, a significant voting group in certain areas of Mumbai, has historically backed the coalition due to Athawale’s influence. In municipal elections, where outcomes may hinge on margins as narrow as 100 to 200 votes, the emergence of independent RPI candidates could fracture the Dalit vote, adversely affecting the prospects of BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena candidates in crucial wards.