Balaghat (MP), Aug 17: Republican Party of India today threatened to snap its ties with Congress in Madhya Pradesh if it is denied at least 15 seats to contest in the coming assembly elections under a pre-poll understanding. "If our demand for 15 seats is not met, we would field 155 candidates severing all ties with Congress and fight the coming polls in the state on our own strength," state RPI president Doman Singh Nagpure told a news agency here.

RPI was given ten seats in the last two assembly elections in the state. Nagpure's statement assumes significance in view of RPI's strong influence among Dalits.

"Earlier our party was divided into various groups but now there is no factionalism and all RPI leaders are on one platform. Therefore, we are ready to field the candidates with full strength in the state," Nagpure, who is also the labour and backward welfare minister in the state, said. The party has started preparations for the next assembly elections, Nagpure who is the lone member of the party in the state assembly, added.

Bureau Report