Will contest from Mumbai South Central if there's no BJP-Sena alliance: Athawale

At present Shiv Sena's Rahul Shewale represents this seat. Athawale, leader of the Republican Party of India (RPI(A)), was speaking to reporters in suburban Chembur.

"The RPI (A) and BJP have already decided to contest Lok Sabha elections jointly. If the BJP and Sena could not form alliance, I am going to be NDA's candidate from south-central," he said.

"I have decided to contest from this constituency. If BJP and Sena form alliance, then I will appeal to (Sena chief) Uddhav Thackeray to leave the south-central to the RPI (A). If there is no alliance, then I do not think the BJP will have any issue supporting my candidature from there," he said.