Gavai's opposition to Athawale's decision also comes from the fact that the LJP was earlier a part of the Third Front. However, it later parted company to join hands with Bharatiya Republican Party (BRP) leader Prakash Ambedkar, who stayed away from from the RPI-U.

According to party circles, LJP, which was offered only one seat in the earlier seat-sharing formula for 200 seats, demanded more seats. It is believed that in order to bring it back to the RLDF fold, Athawale decided to hand over five seats to Paswan's party.

However, Gavai claimed that he would not leave the Third Front and would do everything to save the RPI-U.

'We are not opposed to the LJP or Paswan joining RLDF, but Athawale should have consulted us. If he continues to ignore the other parties in the Third Front on such important decisions, then we shall be left with no options,' Gavai said, making a veiled threat to quit.

Reacting to the developments, Athawale maintained that all decisions are being taken unanimously.