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RPI to Contest 18 Seats Independently, Back NDA on Rest in TN Polls

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale announced the Republican Party of India will contest 18 seats in Tamil Nadu outside the NDA fold after its demand for seats within the alliance was denied. However, the party will continue to support the National Democratic Alliance on the remaining 216 seats. Athawale framed the election as a direct contest between the AIADMK and the DMK, downplaying the impact of actor Vijay. Meanwhile, AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami launched a sharp campaign attack, labeling the DMK a "corporate company" and accusing it of copying his party's manifesto.

Key Points: RPI's Athawale on TN Polls: 18 Seats, NDA Support on Rest

  • RPI denied 3-4 seats by NDA
  • Contesting 18 seats independently
  • Full NDA support on remaining seats
  • Direct AIADMK vs DMK fight
  • Polls on April 23
3 min read

TN Polls: "RPI contesting on 18 seats, supporting NDA on rest", says Republican Party of India chief Ramdas Athawale

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale says RPI contesting 18 seats outside NDA after seat denial, but will support alliance in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

"We are contesting in only 18 seats and in another 216 seats, our party is supporting the NDA. - Ramdas Athawale"

Erode, April 11

Union Minister and Republican Party of India Chief Ramdas Athawale has said that he demanded 3-4 seats for his party within the NDA for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections but was denied by AIADMK Chief Edappadi Palaniswami.

Speaking to ANI on Friday, Athawale said that his party is contesting on 18 seats outside the National Democratic Alliance but will continue to support the NDA on the rest of the seats.

"My party, the Republican Party, is also one of the members of the NDA... But in this election, RPI demanded 3-4 seats, but the NDA has not given the seats to RPI. Edappadi Palaniswami, former Chief Minister, can't give the seats to the RPI. Therefore, we are contesting in only 18 seats and in another 216 seats, our party is supporting the NDA," Athawale said.

He emphasised that the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections will be a direct contest between AIADMK and DMK, asserting that there is no significant fight involving actor-turned-politician Vijay.

"In the assembly election, there is a good fight between AIADMK and DMK... There is no fight between DMK and Vijay... Narendra Modi is also a very strong Prime Minister; he is fully supporting the Tamil Nadu state. And if the NDA government comes here, then more support will be given by the central government," the RPI Chief said.

Earlier, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami launched a frontal attack against the ruling DMK during an election campaign in Kanchipuram, calling the party "not a party but a corporate company" and accusing it of copying AIADMK's manifesto and policies.

He made the remarks while he was holding an election campaign in the Kanchipuram district ahead of the polling on April 23 for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2026.

While addressing supporters, Palaniswami said, "DMK is not a party but a corporate company... We didn't copy your election manifesto, but DMK copied our AIADMK manifesto."He also highlighted the COVID-19 response of his government, saying, "I didn't care for my life and worked during the coronavirus pandemic. Even PM Modi appreciated my government and me in controlling corona.

"Taking aim at Chief Minister MK Stalin, EPS alleged, "Stalin says wherever he goes, AIADMK is a dark era. If he closes his eyes, it will be dark only."He further claimed that AIADMK strengthened education infrastructure, stating, "AIADMK opened schools, but DMK closed schools. They have closed 200 government schools in Tamil Nadu. AIADMK made Tamil Nadu the number one state in higher education. In the last five years, they couldn't even open one medical college in Tamil Nadu."Targeting Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, EPS said, "Udayanidhi says Edappadi Palaniswami is a strong slave of Modi and BJP," and countered by referring to past political statements involving the DMK leadership.

Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23. Counting is scheduled for May 4 (ANI).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Athawale is correct about Modi ji's support for Tamil Nadu. The central government has done a lot for the state's development. But this internal disagreement within NDA is not a good look. They need to present a united front to challenge the DMK effectively. 🤔
S
Suresh O
EPS calling DMK a corporate company is rich, coming from AIADMK! Both these Dravidian parties have been running Tamil Nadu like family businesses for decades. The people need a third strong alternative. Maybe Vijay's party can grow in the future, but for now, it's a two-horse race.
A
Anjali F
As a Tamilian, I'm tired of this blame game. EPS talks about schools and medical colleges, but what about the current job situation and water crisis? Both parties need to talk about their future plans, not just attack each other's past. Our vote is for development, not drama.
D
David E
Interesting to see the dynamics of a regional alliance. From an outside perspective, Athawale's move to contest separately on 18 seats but support NDA on others seems like a strategic compromise. It keeps his party in the game without burning bridges with the BJP-led coalition.
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Karthik V
The comment about Vijay is spot on. His party is getting media hype, but on the ground, it's not a major force yet. The election will be decided between the two established giants. Hope whichever party wins focuses on industrial growth and attracting investments to TN. 🏭

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