Will remain with the party in power, says Athawale

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale, who claimed to have been offered to join Congress, clarified that he would remain with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as long as it stays in power.

Addressing a gathering on Friday, Athawale who is the president of the Republic Party of India said that he will decide on switching sides once he figures out which way "the wind (is) blowing."

"Naseem Khan has offered me to join the (Congress) party. I stayed with the Congress for 10-15 years, so I will have to stay with them (BJP) for at least same number of years. I will be here till the time the current government stays in power. I will decide on switching sides when I figure out which way the wind is blowing," he added.

Earlier, Athawale had claimed that he would contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Mumbai South Central constituency. Interestingly, the sitting member of Parliament from the Mumbai South Central seat is Shiv Sena's Rahul Shewale who contested the 2014 polls as a joint candidate of both, Shiv Sena and BJP.