RPI(A) workers want Athawale to be appointed as Union minister

Workers of NDA constituent RPI(A) today demanded that party chief Ramdas Athawale be appointed as a Union minister even as BJP leaders including Amit Shah failed to turn up at the event where the demand was pressed.
RPI(A) functionaries reiterated their demand during the party's event to mark 125th birth anniversary of Dalit icon B R Ambedkar here.
The party had invited Shah to inaugurate the event while Union ministers from BJP Nitin Gadkari, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Kiren Rijiju were invited to grace the event, besides LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan and Shiv Sena's Anant Geete.
"Modiji... We kept our word during elections and supported you. Now, you keep your word and appoint Athawale ji as minister," actor and party's woman wing leader Rakhi Sawant said during the event.

Renowned singer Udit Narayan echoed Sawant and other party leaders seeking elevation of Athawale, a Rajya Sabha member.
"Athawaleji is an honest man. His surname has the word 'aath' (number 8) in it. This is a number ruled by Shani Maharaj, the God of justice. If Athawale ji becomes minister, he will ensure justice," Narayan said.

Delhi MP Udit Raj, the lone BJP leader to attend the event, praised Athawale saying "he ignores benefits or post when it comes to interest of his community. He only aims for its welfare".
The BJP parliamentarian also lauded Ambedkar's role in empowering women by fighting for equal rights for them.

During his speech, Athawale stressed that he is not after any post and refrained from criticising senior BJP leaders, Paswan and Geete for not turning up at the event. However, speaking to mediapersons later, he said his party workers were left disappointed due to absence of the ruling party leaders.
"They (BJP) leaders had given us word and time. Our workers are disappointed due to their absence and this has created confusion. We had extended support to the BJP despite their being differences of opinion between us," Athawale said.
The party will organise a series of events throughout the year to mark Ambedkar's birth anniversary.