Athawale tells Rahul Gandhi to seek a mandate, not run agitations, if he wants to change the government

Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale has said that governments are not changed through agitations. To come to power, he said, one has to win the people's mandate in a democratic manner. Targeting Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, he said agitations cause hardship to ordinary citizens and that only the democratic route should be used to bring about a change of power.

Athawale was speaking at a press conference in Nagpur. He claimed that the government led by Narendra Modi will remain in office until 2029. He also said the BJP would succeed in the upcoming Assembly elections in four states.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had made a remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying "Modi's father too will have to go". Athawale condemned it. He alleged that Congress leaders keep losing elections, which is why insulting and controversial statements are coming from them. According to Athawale, using such language about the Prime Minister is not right, and a leader of such stature should show restraint while speaking.

Athawale appealed to Rahul Gandhi to oppose the government in a constitutional and democratic manner. He said venting anger will not change the government. On the contrary, he said, such a stance could turn voters against the Opposition. There is a chance to win a mandate and come to power through the 2029 elections, he said, but there should be no attempt to hold the country hostage for it.

A video clip of Union Home Minister Amit Shah is going viral. In it, he is said to be referring to the late Indira Gandhi and telling Rahul Gandhi, "Your grandmother will also have to come". Asked about this, Athawale said he had no knowledge of it.

On the possible entry of Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, into the RPI, Athawale said Dipke is an Ambedkarite. In his view, all political parties need young people, especially Gen Z, to expand. Dipke has been invited to join the RPI, and he will be welcomed if he comes, Athawale said.

Athawale backed the Election Commission's SIR process. He said there is no need for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign. The exercise is being carried out to cleanse the electoral rolls, he said.

On the more than 13 crore voters removed from the rolls, Athawale said many voters have gone abroad and some have died. Some people did not change their constituency after moving, or their names had not been deleted from the old list, he said.