Republican Party of India Chief Athawale to Contest Mumbai Cricket Polls, May Get Sharad Pawar's Support

RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale has decided to contest the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) polls that will be held on June 17 for the post of vice-president.

"I have very good relations with both the Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray group. Thus, I have decided to talk to both of them and see if I can get to contest from one of the groups for the upcoming MCA poll. This is not about politics but about sports. I feel an Ambedkarite face should also get a chance to contest election," Athawale told reporters here.

Athawale claimed that he has around 40 assured votes, out of the total 329 votes that will be cast.

"There are a lot of educational institutions and sports clubs that get to vote. I have good relations with them spanning decades. I am sure they will be ready to support me," he said.

Athawale further said he will file his nomination on June 9 as an independent if none of the groups support his candidature.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar is the current President of the MCA.