The Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment also said the Sena should not "stretch further" its demand for the CM's post, and must settle for the deputy CM's post

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale's Republican Party of India (RPI) has fielded Chhota Rajan's brother as a party candidate in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly election. Deepak Nikalje will contest from Phaltan assembly constituency in Maharashtra. RPI is an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Friday said it is in Pakistan's interest to hand over PoK to India as several reports suggest people in the occupied territory are unhappy and want to be part of this country. He said there are several reports that point out that people in PoK are unhappy and they want to be part of India.  

During oath taking of Asaduddin Owaisi, Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, witnessed 'Jai Shri Ram' chants by its members. On this, the president of the AIMIM, in a lighter way, signalled MPs to chant even louder. As a result, the house witnessed some lighter moments.

Republican Party of India chief and Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale said PM Narendra Modi is someone who believes in politics of development.

Ramdas Anthawale suggested TRS-YSR Congress of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to join BJP-led NDA at the centre for development of the respective states

For a second term, PM Narendra Modi is all set to take oath with a new council of ministers on Thursday. A multi-layered security arrangement is in place in the national capital Delhi.

In yet another personal attack on the prime minister, BSP chief Mayawati Thursday said how can one expect Narendra Modi to respect women when he cannot do so for his wife.

It is pertinent to mention here that recently SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati have entered into an alliance in which they have agreed on 38 seats each.

Speaking to reporters, Athawale said; "I'm a popular leader, this might have been done at the behest of someone who is angry over something."

Lok Sabha elections 2019: The Union minister said both Hindus and Muslims should honour the Supreme Court verdict on the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute.

He also claimed that originally a Buddhist shrine existed on the disputed land in Ayodhya. 

The Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said it is wrong to say that such incidents have increased under the BJP regime as the attacks on Dalits are continuing for many years irrespective of which party is in power.

To a question, Athawale said, "I think that all will benefit if the reservation limit is enhanced to 75 per cent from the present 50 per cent... all political parties will have to help the government in this regard."  

Athawale said he was willing to speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and mediate between him and Hardik Patel. 

Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats, of which the BJP and its allies had won 73 in the 2014 parliamentary elections.

Athawale was referring to the recent attack on Dalits in Pune who were celebrating 200 years of the victory of British troops over Peshwa Bajirao II's Army in Koregaon Bhima.

Dalits commemorate the British victory over the Peshwa's army at Bhima-Koregaon in 1818 as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Company's forces.

Athawale said the demand for the reservation for Dalits has been his party's demand for a long time and he would soon speak to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman about it.

"Everybody in the country has a right to eat beef. The gau rakshaks have the right to lodge a police complaint... However, they don't have the authority to take the law in their hands," Athawale said.