'RLDF does not belong to any single leader, it is a coalition of 18 parties, all of which have an equal right in the decision-making process. But Athawale has been taking decisions without even consulting us. Certain things we learnt through media conferences,' Gavai said Sep 15, a day after the group's joint election manifesto was released in Mumbai.

Gavai's grouse stemmed from Athavale's move to offer five seats to the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) of former union minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

While the RLDF had worked out seat-sharing deals among its constituents for 260 seats, discussions were on for the remaining 28 seats. The state assembly has a total of 288 seats.