``I declare I would not contest for the party's presidentship,'' he said when approached by newsmen to comment on Ambedkar's decision to constitute parallel committees of the party in the districts.

Gavai said his statement should remove apprehension in the mind of some persons that he was jockeying for power. ``I will work as an ordinary member of the party,'' he remarked. The RPI failed to hold the organisational elections in the time stipulated by the Election Commission. The nine-member presidium could not decide on the election schedule due to differences between the two factions.

Before acting unilaterally in organising a parallel RPI, supporters of Ambedkar had charged the Gavai faction with mortgaging the party's interests with the Congress. Gavai refused tocomment on these allegations but said followers of Ambedkar would be the judge.

He pointed out that the party's alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections paid rich dividends and led to the victory of four candidates, including Ambedkar. It was mutually beneficial for the Congress as well as the RPI. He only hoped that the goodwill generated in favour of the party would not be spoiled.

To a question, he said he would abide by any decision taken by a majority of the presidium members on maintaining unity in the party. He indirectly stated that the Election Commission would recognise any action that has a backing of at least six of the nine members of the presidium as the Commission did at the time of Lok Sabha polls.