PUNE, 10 December 2006 — Angered by the negligence toward the Dalits (low-caste Hindus) and the resentment against the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) over the massacre of Dalit family members at the hands of upper caste Hindus in Khairlanji in Bhandara district in Marathwada, the quota issue and the desecration of Ambedkar statues in Kanpur and Allahabad recently, Republican Party of India (RPI – Athavale faction) leader Ramdas Athavale has threatened to sever ties with the Congress led Democratic Front government in Maharashtra.
Speaking to the media on Friday night, Athavale said, “The RPI supported the Congress and the NCP so that it could fight communal forces. But now, the Dalit masses feel that despite this support, nothing has helped their cause. If the trend continues, the RPI would have no compulsion to back either the Congress or the NCP.”
Dalit masses, Athavale said, are suggesting to end the alliance with the DF government and are in favor of a united party. But, the decision is not easy. The RPI is not strong enough to fight on its own and is still hesitant about going with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Shiv Sena (SS).
As civic elections are round the corner, Athavale is impatient and cannot wait for long; hence he is planning to adopt the easiest way — uniting RPI factions under one flag and one election symbol.
“I have been making public appeals to this effect and am planning a meeting with all Dalit leaders. The decision on leadership of the unified party, its flag, election symbol etc. can be taken later,” he said.
