Saturday, Apr 20, 2024 | Last Update : 01:54 PM IST
Athawale: Alliance with BJP political, not ideological
The Union minister further added that the decision of alliance was made after consulting the Dalit community.
Mumbai: Disturbed over constant questions from his supporters and community members, Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, has clarified that his alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is only for political purposes.
The Republican Party of India leader said that his alliance has nothing to do with the ideological agenda of the BJP or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and that he is secular and a true follower of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideology.
Mr Athawale was rece-ntly confronted during many functions about incidents of atrocities against Dalits in BJP-ruled states and why he was keeping mum on the issue.
“Many people keep asking me about the agenda of the RSS or BJP. I want to tell them clearly that I don’t support that agenda. I am in a political alliance with the BJP and not ideological,” said Mr Athawale during a speech in Kalyan.
The Union minister further added that the decision of alliance was made after consulting the Dalit community. He has being in an alliance with the BJP since 2014.
