New notes, new app... new photo?

Mumbai: After demanding reservation in sports, Republican Party of India (RPI) leader and Union minister of state for social justice, Ramdas Athavale has demanded that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s picture be printed on the new currency notes. Mr Athavale also wants Dr Ambedkar’s photo on the  Bhim App, an Aadhaar-based mobile payment app that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30 last year.. “We have welcomed the Bhim App and the government’s efforts to go cashless. Now Dr Ambedkar’s photo should be printed on the Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes. Also, his photo should be there on the Bhim App. Ambedkar followers are waiting to see the change. I am going to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the same demand,” Athavale said. He was in Mumbai for his party’s preparation of forthcoming BMC elections.   

Earlier, Mr Athavale’s demand of reservation in international cricket  had sparked a fresh controversy. Speaking on the issue, Mr Athavale said that dalit youths should get opportunity in sports as they too have talents. He even said that cricketer Virat Kohli should be elevated as a captain of Indian team in place of Mahendra Dhoni who declared his retirement from T20.

Talking about the BMC polls, Mr Athavale said that the RPI had received 350 applications from 125 BMC wards. “The candidates will be interviewed till January 9. The alliance partners (Shiv Sena and BJP) should not distribute AB forms without consulting us,” Mr Athavale said. His party had contested the polls in alliance with Shiv Sena and BJP in 2012. But not a single RPI candidate got elected.

Making his party stand clear on the alliance with Shiv Sena and BJP, Mr Athavale said, “If the Sena, BJP and RPI go together then his party (RPI) would contest 30 seats. But if the alliance is not forged with the Shiv Sena then the RPI would go with BJP demanding 60 seats for the BMC polls.”