Supriya Sule could get a place in Cabinet if she joins NDA

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and President of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), Ramdas Athawale, has made a significant claim. According to information provided by PTI, if NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule joins the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), she could be given a place in the Union Cabinet during the upcoming cabinet expansion.

During a press conference held in Thane, Athawale stated that it would be a matter of joy if Supriya Sule, representing the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, decides to join the NDA. He added that if she joins the alliance, her decision will be welcomed and she could be considered for a position in the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Ramdas Athawale also spoke about Sharad Pawar. He claimed that if Sharad Pawar had joined the ruling alliance in 2019, he could have become the President of India. When asked whether Sharad Pawar could join the NDA now, Athawale expressed doubt on the matter. He clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sharad Pawar share good relations, but nothing more than that.

Athawale further stated that former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had requested Sharad Pawar to join the NDA when the NCP was undivided, but Pawar had not accepted the offer.

Speaking on the ongoing debate regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), Athawale said his party has no objection to conducting elections via ballot paper. Questioning the opposition's criticism of EVMs, he said that these machines were not introduced by Prime Minister Modi. He expressed confidence that if the NDA loses the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, they will congratulate Rahul Gandhi instead of blaming EVMs and will accept the people's verdict.

In this press conference, he expressed hope that drought-affected farmers of Maharashtra would receive financial assistance before Diwali. Additionally, he demanded that the Thane police conduct an impartial investigation into the murder case of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Puranik and that no injustice occurs in this matter. According to an India Today report, Athawale's remarks included various issues such as the possibility of Supriya Sule joining the NDA, Sharad Pawar's relations, the EVM controversy, farmers' assistance, and the investigation into the Puranik murder case.