Union Min Ramdas Athawale unhappy with BJP and Sena

PUNE: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale expressed his discontentment and claimed he was sidelined when the BJP and Shiv Sena announced their alliance for the coming polls. He was addressing a press conference in the city on Sunday evening. 

Athawale said he has a good relationship with the BJP and the Shiv Sena. “Both Devendra Fadnavis and Sharad Pawar are close to me and so BJP should not take us for granted. I am simple at heart but if the time comes, I will show my strength,” said Athawale.

He said he was happy that the Shiv Sena and BJP have come together and even he was trying for the same. “However, they did not leave a single seat for the RPI, and this is unfortunate. RPI had been instrumental in garnering votes for the BJP in the 2014 Assembly elections (in Maharashtra). Our party cadre and people are disappointed that the RPI is not getting a single seat. If people try to go against us then we would not mind. I am getting invitations from the NCP but I am waiting so that BJP and Shiv Sena will certainly think about us,” added Athawale.

He criticised MNS Chief Raj Thackeray who recently sought an inquiry about National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in the Pulwama terror attack.