MUMBAI, 5 th April 2026,TGN/ BABITA P. M: RPI (A) Chief and Union Minister for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale has appealed that the by-election for the Baramati Assembly constituency, which fell vacant following the accidental death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, should be held unopposed. He urged Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal to withdraw the party’s insistence on contesting the election and said that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi should advise him accordingly. Athawale also stated that if the election is held, he will campaign in Baramati for Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.
A meeting of the executive committee of the Republican Party of India (Athawale faction) was held in Pune on Saturday afternoon. Athawale spoke to the media after the meeting. Among those present were Pune Deputy Mayor Parshuram Wadekar, RPI Maharashtra president Rajabhau Sarode, state general secretary Avinash Mahatekar, Gautam Sonawane, state working president Baburao Kadam, national general secretary Ashatai Landge, city president Sanjay Sonawane, Balasaheb Janrao, corporator Nilesh Alhat and others. The meeting mainly discussed the nature of programmes to be organised to mark the centenary year of the historic Chavdar Tale movement. On this occasion, the Republican Party will organise various programmes throughout the year. Information regarding these programmes was shared at the press conference.
Athawale said that the Mahad Satyagraha marks its centenary year, and a Samata Parivartan Yatra will be launched on October 14 from Satara and will conclude in Pune, passing through various districts and talukas. A meeting of the state executive committee and key leaders of the Republican Party was also held on this occasion.
Support for Sub-Categorisation of Scheduled Castes
Athawale said discussions regarding sub-categorisation within Scheduled Caste reservations are gaining momentum and the proposal is likely to be implemented soon. Separate reservations will continue for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. A special session of Parliament has been convened from the 16th to discuss this issue, and Athawale expressed support for the sub-categorisation proposal. He also clarified that the Republican Party supports political reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Nomadic and Denotified Tribes, similar to the reservation available for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
He also commented on the case involving self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, urging political leaders not to fall into the trap of such fraudulent godmen for personal gain.
Athawale further said that RPI’s Deputy Mayor should be invited to all important meetings. After the municipal elections, the Republican Party was given the Deputy Mayor’s post with the support of the BJP, but there have been discussions that the Deputy Mayor is not receiving due respect. He said such discussions are inappropriate but added that the Republican Party should be taken into confidence, and the Deputy Mayor should be invited to all key meetings.
