RPI's Athawale faction seeks Rajya Sabha seat from Sena-BJP

The Shiv Sena and the BJP would decide about allotting a Rajya Sabha seat to the Republican Party of India (Ramdas Athawale faction), its new alliance partner, sources said.
RPI president Ramdas Athawale met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray today at his residence to discuss the issue, sources said here today.
The RPI-led by Ramdas Athawale has been demanding three Lok Sabha seats from the Sena-BJP for the forthcoming general elections as well as a Rajya Sabha seat.
"We had a healthy discussion on seat sharing. We have demanded three Lok Sabha seats and a Rajya Sabha seat. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said that both the Sena and BJP would try to accommodate the RPI and allot a Rajya Sabha seat," RPI sources said.

The RPI which forged an alliance with the Sena-BJP has also been demanding around 35 seats for the Maharashtra assembly polls, scheduled for next year.