Chhota Rajan’s brother replaced as candidate

Pune, October 3

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A day after the Republican Party of India (Athawale) fielded Deepak Nikalje, the brother of jailed underworld don Chhota Rajan, from Phaltan in Satara district, the party on Thursday changed its candidate from the seat in western Maharashtra.

Instead of Nikalje, local leader Digambar Agawane will contest from the seat, senior RPI leader and Maharashtra minister Avinash Mahatekar said.

The RPI (A) is an ally of the BJP. The RPI, led by Union minister Ramdas Athawale, has been given six seats as part of the seat-sharing deal between the BJP, Shiv Sena and other smaller allies for the October 21 Assembly elections.

Athawale announced the candidates, including Nikalje, in Mumbai on Wednesday. "Agawane, who is a local RPI (A) leader, has been announced as the party's candidate from Phaltan," said Mahatekar. He said Agawane will contest the election on BJP's 'lotus' symbol. Mahatekar said though Nikalje was from Phaltan, he never lived there. Meanwhile, RPI workers from Pune decided to stay away from the BJP's poll campaign to protest against the Dalit party not getting any Assembly seat in the city. — PTI