Thane, Nov 4 Union minister and Republican Party of India (Athawale) president Ramdas Athawale claimed on Wednesday that NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule could be considered for a position in the Union Cabinet during its next expansion if she joined the ruling NDA.
Addressing a press conference in Thane, he also said that NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar could have become the President had he joined the ruling alliance in 2019.
Athawale said it would be a matter of joy if Sule, who represents the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said her joining the alliance would be welcomed and claimed that she could be considered for a berth in the next Cabinet expansion.
Asked whether Sharad Pawar could join the NDA, Athawale expressed doubt, saying Pawar could have become President had he joined the alliance in 2019. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sharad Pawar share good relations.
Although former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had appealed to Sharad Pawar, who then headed the undivided NCP, to join the NDA, the latter did not accept the offer, Athawale said.
On the ongoing debate over electronic voting machines (EVMs), Athawale said his party had no objection to elections being conducted using ballot papers. Questioning the Opposition’s criticism of EVMs, he said the machines had not been introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He added that if the NDA failed to win the 2029 general elections, it would congratulate Rahul Gandhi, saying the people’s “verdict would be accepted (without blaming EVMs)”.
Athawale also expressed hope that drought-hit farmers in Maharashtra would receive financial assistance before Diwali.
The Union minister also urged the Thane police to conduct an impartial probe into the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, stressing that no injustice should be done in the matter.
(PTI News)
