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Now, Pawar's ally also loses its symbol

The Election Commission today allowed the Republican Party of India headed by R S Gavai and Jogendra Kawade to retain the 'rising sun' symbol, thus setting at rest the controversy about which faction of the party was the real RPI.

The RPI is divided into three factions led by Ramdas Athawale, Prakash Ambedkar and Gavai. While Ambedkar and Gavai have struck an electoral alliance with the Congress, Athawale has aligned with Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party.

The order signed by Election Commissioners G V G Krishnamurthy and J M Lyngdoh came after they heard four separate groups led by Gavai, Athwale, T M Kamble and Ambedkar.

RPI (Gavai) leaders, who gathered at Gavai's residence, said it was a rational and logical conclusion and hoped that it would set at rest the controversy about the 'real' RPI.

The Election Commission's order said: "The group led by R S Gavai enjoys superior numerical support not only in the central executive committee but also among the units of the party in various states."

UNI

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