BSP should support BJP if it does not get majority: Athawale

In remarks that might not go down well with the BJP, its NDA partner RPI(A) today said in case the saffron party does not win a majority on its own in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP should extend "unconditional support" to it.
"In case BJP fails to get full majority on its own, the BSP needs to extend unconditional support and also think about taking deputy chief minister's post," Republican Party of India (A) President Ramdas Athawale said.
He was replying to queries of news persons here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah, who are leading the party's campaign in UP, have been asserting that their party will get over 300 of the 403 seats up for grabs in the high-stake elections.

Athawale said, "BSP needs to recall the three instances of the BJP extending support to its government in the past and do the quid pro quo in case such an eventuality arises."
RPI(A) is contesting 43 seats in the state and supporting BJP on the remaining seats.

To a question, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said reservation is the right of Dalits and it cannot be scrapped, and the only one way to end it was by ending the caste system in the country.
Commenting on the outcome of recent elections in Maharashtra, he said these indicated that note ban has had no effect on the poor.

Athawale said he met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and suggested that the BJP and Shiv Sena should have a chance at the post of mayor and deputy mayor for a term of two-and-a-half years each.