Union Minister Nitin Gadkari playfully teased his colleague, Ramdas Athawale, at an event in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Sunday, commenting on Athawale’s enduring presence in multiple governments. “It may not be certain that our government will return for a fourth term, but what is certain is that Ramdas Athawale will become a minister,” Gadkari quipped, with Athawale on stage beside him. He quickly clarified that he was joking.

Athawale, the leader of the Republican Party of India (RPI), has held a ministerial position in three governments so far and expressed confidence in continuing his streak if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retains power.

Speaking at a press conference in Nagpur, Athawale outlined his party's aspirations for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, stating that the RPI (A), an ally in the Mahayuti coalition, should be allotted at least 10 to 12 seats. He further mentioned his party’s intention to contest under its own symbol, particularly targeting three to four seats in the Vidarbha region, including constituencies like north Nagpur, Umred (Nagpur), Umarkhed (Yavatmal), and Washim.

Athawale also revealed that the RPI (A) had prepared a list of 18 potential seats and would soon share it with its Mahayuti alliance partners, which include the BJP, Shiv Sena (led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde), and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He suggested that each ally should allocate four seats from their quota to accommodate the RPI (A).

Earlier in Palghar, Athawale voiced his disappointment about not receiving a promised ministerial berth in the Maharashtra government after Ajit Pawar's NCP faction joined the ruling Mahayuti alliance. He claimed that the RPI (A) had been promised cabinet positions, chairmanship of two corporations, and representation in district-level committees, but these were sidelined due to Pawar’s inclusion.

Maharashtra’s 288-seat Assembly election is expected to take place in November. Currently, the BJP holds 103 seats, making it the largest party, followed by the Shiv Sena with 40, the NCP with 41, and Congress with 40. Other parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), also hold a smaller number of seats.