Athawale meets BJP Prez, seeks berths in central, Maha govts

The Republican Party of India (Athawale), a constituent of NDA, today called on BJP chief Amit Shah and sought adequate share in Narendra Modi dispensation and Devendra Fadnavis cabinet in Maharashtra.
During the meeting, RPI(A) president Ramdas Athawale also proposed an alliance with the BJP for forthcoming Uttar Pradesh election.
"We were promised adequate representation in Central and state governments ahead of Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly polls. So, we discussed the issue during the meeting.
"Shah has assured me of taking up the issue with Narendra (Modi) Bhai and giving us share in power at the right time," Athawale said after the meeting.

He claimed he doesn't want ministerial berth for himself, but "for Dalit community".
The Rajya Sabha member said final call regarding his party's alliance with BJP for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh polls will be taken after the NDA major discusses the same at its state unit-level.
"I told him, though small, RPI(A) has units in each state including Uttar Pradesh. Our party is doing a good work in that state, which will help BJP during the polls there. They will take a call in this regard after discussing it with their state unit," he said.
Among other issues, the BJP chief also assured RPI(A) of the Centre taking measures to ensure protection of dalits and that a huge memorial would be built in the name of architect of the Constitution B R Ambedkar in Mumbai, the Rajya Sabha member said.