RPI’s Ramdas Athawale, Subhash Bhamre likely to get Union berths

In the most awaited expansion of the Union cabinet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are likely to induct two faces from Maharashtra. The duo will include Republican Party president Ramdas Athawale, who has a strong base in the Dalit society across the state and Dr Subhash Bhamre, who hails from the Maratha community and represents Dhule Lok Sabha constituency in North Maharashtra region. Mr Athawale and Dr Bhamare from Maharashtra are likely to be inducted in the Union cabinet on Tuesday.

The BJP has assured Mr Athawale of a ministerial berth in the Union cabinet, however, his inclusion has been delayed for nearly two years. According to Avinash Mahatekar, senior RPI leader, Mr Athawale’s inclusion will send out a positive message within the Dalit community that can prove to be helpful in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls next year.

“Mr Athwale has strong support in the Dalit community, not only in Maharashtra, but he also followers across the nation. His induction will definitely help the BJP gain Dalit votes in various elections,” said Mr Mahatekar.

Dr Bhamre is a well-known surgeon from the industrially-backward Dhule district. He represents Dhule city constituency. It is expected that Mr Bhamre’s inclusion will help to push the Manmad-Dhule-Indore railway project, which is a 70-year-old demand of the North Maharashtra region.

Dr Bhamre was earlier in Shiv Sena and has lost assembly polls once. Later he joined the BJP and got elected as an MP for the first time. His father Ramrao Patil was Congress’ former legislator and his brother was Congress’ Zilla Parishad president.

The followers of both Mr Athawale and Dr Bhamre celebrated in Mumbai and Dhule, respectively.