Supriya Sule could get Cabinet berth if she joins NDA: Ramdas Athawale

The Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said Sule's decision to join the alliance would be welcomed and claimed that she could be considered for a berth in the next Cabinet expansion.NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule (File Photo: ITG)Thane,Nov 4, 2026 22:25 ISTUnion minister and Republican Party of India (Athawale) president Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday claimed that NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule could be considered for a place in the Union Cabinet during its next expansion if she joined the ruling National Democratic Alliance, news agency PTI reported.Athawale also said NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar could have become President had he joined the ruling alliance in 2019.Addressing a press conference in Thane, Athawale said it would be a matter of joy if Sule, who represents the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, joined the NDA.The Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said her decision to join the alliance would be welcomed and claimed that she could be considered for a berth in the next Cabinet expansion. Asked whether Sharad Pawar could join the NDA, Athawale expressed doubt. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pawar shared good relations, but nothing more.Athawale said former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had urged Sharad Pawar, who then headed the undivided NCP, to join the NDA, but the latter did not accept the offer. On the debate over electronic voting machines, Athawale said his party had no objection to elections being conducted using ballot papers. Questioning the Opposition's criticism of EVMs, he said the machines had not been introduced by Prime Minister Modi.He added that if the NDA failed to win the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, it would congratulate Rahul Gandhi and accept the people's verdict without blaming EVMs.Athawale also expressed hope that drought-hit farmers in Maharashtra would receive financial assistance before Diwali.The Union minister urged the Thane police to conduct an impartial investigation into the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, stressing that no injustice should be done in the matter.Athawale's remarks covered the possibility of Sule joining the NDA, Sharad Pawar's relations with the ruling alliance, the EVM debate, aid for drought-hit farmers and the investigation into Purnekar's murder.- Ends