Vanchit Aaghadi will not gain anything contesting the elections alone, instead it should join us and come with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena if they want to enjoy power. We tried third front in 2009, but it did not work out. Votes to Vanchit Aaghadi benefit the BJP, opined Union Minister for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale. He was addressing a press conference at Ravi Bhavan in the city.
Mr. Athawale was in the city to attend birth anniversary programme of Mai Ambedkar. Speaking further Athawale said Dr Ambedkar would say that power is necessary to solve the problems of poor and downtrodden. Replying to a question, the minister said he is not an opportunist. On the contrary, the party which I join comes to power, he said. I am an Ambedkarite and a pure Buddhist and therefore I put my views instead of criticising. Today, I am the lone minister, if the Vanchit Aaghadi join hands, they would also get berth, he said. The NDA would not become complacent with the CAG report on Rafale deal, he said. The BJP-Sena instead of getting indulged into elder brother-younger brother row, should come together because only the BJP-SS alliance has the capacity to give challenge to Congress-NCP, he said.
Referring to Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra’s entry into active politics, Athawale said she is most welcome in the politics. However, just following her grandmother’s looks is not enough, she should prove herself through works, he said. To a question, Athawale said, he respects the Dalit-Muslim unity however; attack on Hindu community is not acceptable.
Speaking about the Ram Mandir issue, Athawale said, of the total 65 acres of land, 4.5 acres of land is of Buddha Mandir. A mosque can be constructed on the remaining 2.5 acres of land. However, to avoid confrontation, an alternative land can also be made available, he said. Ram Mandir should not be constructed taking law into hands, that would be illegal, he said, adding the court should deliver its judgment at the earliest.
Modi is most popular leader among the youth. Moreover, the Muslim women will also vote for him on the triple talaq issue, he said. BJP lost in the three states because of the local issues, he opined.
There is a favourable atmosphere for BJP and this time the party would win atleast 260 seats, Athawale said, adding BJP would get good number of seats in West Bengal too. Nitish Kumar is already with BJP in Bihar, therefore it is certain that we would again win the 2019 match, he said. There are a number of contenders for the prime minister’s post in the Mahagathbandhan, he quipped. Modi will become the PM again and there is no problem if five years later Nitin Gadkari’s name makes the rounds for the post, Athawale said.