Palghar: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale claimed that his Republican Party of India-Athawale (RPI-A) did not get any ministerial post in the state despite promises due to the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) joining the Mahayuti government. Athawale also expressed confidence that the ruling Mahayuti alliance will win 150-160 out of the 288 assembly seats in the state in the upcoming elections.
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Athawale, while talking to reporters in Dahanu, Palghar on Tuesday, said, “After Ajit Pawar joined the Mahayuti government, RPI-A could not get a ministerial post in the Maharashtra Cabinet. Our party was promised a position in the Cabinet, chairmanship of two corporations and a role in district level committees, but this could not be possible due to Ajit Pawar’s joining. “He said, “RPI-A should be given a chance to contest 12 seats in the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra. We should also be given representation in the state cabinet. “
The Ajit Pawar-led NCP joined Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s government in Maharashtra in July last year. The RPI-A is part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). On Maratha reservation, Athawale claimed that his party was the first to raise the issue. He said Marathas should be provided reservation under a separate category as including them in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) could face opposition from the group.
Athawale said, “The Maharashtra government should study the reservation system of Tamil Nadu and give reservation to the people of economically weaker Maratha community earning less than Rs 8 lakh per year.” Athawale extended his support to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Highlighting the achievements of his ministry, he said its welfare initiatives benefit 45 per cent of India’s population. Athawale said the ministry has launched a nationwide de-addiction campaign aimed at curbing the trend of drug abuse among the youth. He said the ministry has opened 51 crore bank accounts and benefited 46 crore individuals through initiatives like Mudra Yojana and Ujjwala Gas Scheme.
