We must get one 'good' ministry at centre if NDA comes to power: Ramdas Athawale

Asserting his power in the grand alliance of the BJP-Shiv Sena-RPI, Ramdas Athawale, the Rajya Sabha member and the national president of RPI (A) on Monday put forth his premature demand of a 'good' ministry in the Union cabinet once the NDA comes to power.

Speaking to a group of journalists in Mumbai, Athawale said, "I have told the BJP and Shiv Sena that we must be given at least one good ministry, if NDA comes to power. We are seeking at least 15% share in the state cabinet if the MahaYuti wins the assembly polls." The talk was organised by the association of Mantralaya journalists.

Athawale's faction has been given only one seat (Satara) by the Grand-alliance for the Lok Sabha elections against its wish of contesting at three constituencies. The party has no representation in the outgoing Lok Sabha as Athawale lost the contest from Shirdi in 2009 while his party was the part of the Congress and NCP alliance.

Reiterating his closeness with the NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Athawale also sought to pressurise the alliance partners by saying that he will remain with the BJP and Shiv Sena until his party would be given an adequate respect and share in alliance.

He also talked about the manifesto of the alliance and said that it would include more SRA schemes for Dalits and curbing crime against them.