Shillong,Oct 7: Republican Party of India (Athawale) national chief Ramdas Athawale on Saturday said that his aim is to develop the party in the North East region.
The party has its roots in the Scheduled Castes Federation led by Dr BR Ambedkar, who was the principal architect of the Constitution of India.
“My aim is to develop the party in the North East states,” Athwale, who is also the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, told reporters here on Saturday.
Informing that party is starting its work in Meghalaya, he however said that the party being a new one has no intention to contest the upcoming state assembly polls, to be held next year.
“We will start our work in Meghalaya to help the people of the state especially the unemployed youths,” he said while expressing concern that there is no development in the state.
He said that the state president and other functionaries have already elected for the RPI (A) Meghalaya Unit.
Appealing to the party workers to start setting up businesses, he said there is a scheme for SC/ST where we give money from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 15 crore and 75 per cent from us and 25 per cent by those who will start the business and interest rate is only 8 per cent.
“I am going to start my party and I will help SC/ST and all communities,” he said.
He claimed that many people from different communities and even the Prime Minister Narendra Modi are supporting the Dr BR Ambedkar’s philosophy very strongly.
“My party is not only for schedule caste, my party is for schedule tribe, general category and OBC and those who are following the philosophy of Dr Ambedkar they will be the member of the my party,” he said.
In view of the growing demand from the different communities for reservation, Athawale said that his party has been demanding the Centre government to pass the Bill in the parliament to give reservation to those castes which are not included in SC/ST and OBC category as well.
“I am trying to discuss with the prime minister and BJP national president Amit Shah and leaders from all political parties. If parliament pass the bill then only it is possible,” he said.
According to him, family whose yearly income is under Rs 8 lakh should be given the benefit of reservation.
