Interested in contesting Lok Sabha polls from Shirdi: Union minister Ramdas Athawale

NAGPUR: Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale said that he would like to contest Lok Sabha polls from Shirdi if given the opportunity. He also hoped of securing another two LS seats for his party in Maharashtra from alliance partners.
Talking about the much-anticipated state cabinet expansion, Athawale said that his party members should also get ministerial berths.
The Rajya Sabha MP’s term in the upper house ends in April 2026.
“If the opportunity comes, I would love to contest from Shirdi,” said Athawale. He did contest the LS polls from the same constituency unsuccessfully back in 2009.
“Apart from Shirdi, we are hoping that my Republican Party of India (RPI-A) also gets two more seats for LS polls,” said Athawale. There were speculations that Athawale may demand Ramtek constituency, but that always seemed a tall task.
Athawale too acknowledged it. “Currently, that seat is being held by Krupal Tumane, who is now with Eknath Shinde,” said Athawale.
With Tumane and local MLA Ashish Jaiswal both with Shinde’s party, it would be next to impossible for Athawale to get Ramtek constituency for his party members.
“I am looking for one seat (LS polls) in Vidarbha, but nothing has been finalized yet,” said Athawale. For assembly polls, Athawale hopes that a sizable number of seats will be left for his party.
With so many claimants within BJP and Shiv Sena itself, it’s unlikely that Athawale will get his demands fulfilled.
The senior politician said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi must stop criticizing PM Narendra Modi on the global stage.
“It does not suit the stature of the Congress party. If he goes on tours abroad and starts Modi-bashing, it does not reflect well,” he said.