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Atmaram's RJP to contest 80 assembly seats

Rashtriya Janata Party (A) leader Atmaram Patel says his group will put up candidates in about 80 assembly and between two and five parliamentary constituencies in the coming election in Gujarat.

The former state revenue minister said he had kept his options open for a tie-up with the Janata Dal and would prefer to contest on the latter's symbol. He said he had held talks with former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on January 9 in this connection.

According to Patel, the Bharatiya Janata Party would improve its tally in the state and emerge as the single largest party though a majority may elude the saffron party.

Asked about the Congress-Rashtriya Janata Party relations, he said the Congress could get more seats if it contested the election alone. The RJP is headed by former chief minister Shankarsinh Vaghela.

Patel said he was in touch with senior BJP leader Keshubhai Patel and had met the former chief minister on January 6. He, however, maintained that the BJP was a communal party.

UNI

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