Mahayuti should contest civic polls as united front: Athawale

Pune: Union Minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday urged the Mahayuti alliance to contest upcoming civic elections as a united front. Speaking to the reporters after a party meeting in Pune, Athawale emphasized on the need for the BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP, and RPI to participate as a grand alliance, especially after the Supreme Court's four-month election deadline."I would share my political position about civic polls with the leaders of the parties part of the alliance. RPI should receive appropriate representation in these elections. Our key demands include securing candidacy for at least 15 wards in the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, deputy mayor's position for the entire five-year term, and acquiring mayor's position if reservations for the backward class are implemented," Athawale said.He also announced that the RPI would organise rallies across all districts in the state to express gratitude and congratulations to the Indian Army for the success of Operation Sindhoor.Athawale added the Indian govt is handling the military operations with a lot of valour. "The govt has taken a strong stand against the terrorists. The issue of India and Pakistan is being handled by our govt without any external pressure, such as from the USA govt, as being claimed by the opposition parties," he said.