Ramdas Athawale hints at imminent Union Cabinet reshuffle

Union Minister and RPI(A) chief Ramdas Athawale on Monday said a reshuffle of the Union cabinet can take place "very soon", with new faces from the BJP and ally NCP expected to be inducted into the government.

Speaking to reporters here, Athawale also said the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) must bridge ideological differences and join the ruling NDA to strengthen development efforts.

Athawale said that a Union cabinet reshuffle could take place "very soon" following changes within the BJP organisation, with new inductees likely from the BJP and ally, NCP.

The Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said that he would like the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) to be part of the government.

He remarked that eight MPs of the Opposition party should join the NDA if Pawar refuses to do so.

"There may be ideological differences, but they (NCP SP) should join the NDA," he said, citing his own example and that of former NDA allies, including former defence minister George Fernandes, Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, and Naveen Patnaik.

Athawale also said that Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke must join RPI (A) to fulfil Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's dream, strengthen society and the party.

The Union minister also raised concerns over demands from some quarters to abolish quota, saying reservation is a constitutional right and the government should take strict action against those demanding its removal.