Union Minister Nitin Gadkari playfully teased his cabinet colleague Ramdas Athawale on Sunday regarding his ability to retain a ministerial berth across different governments. Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Gadkari quipped, “It may not be guaranteed that our government will return for a fourth term, but what is definitely guaranteed is that Ramdas Athawale will become a minister.”

This light-hearted jab was made in Athawale’s presence, after which Gadkari added that he was “just joking.”

Athawale, who leads the Republican Party of India (RPI), has held a ministerial role three times and expressed optimism about continuing his streak if the BJP regains power. He stated that his party, RPI(A), a partner in the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra, should be allotted at least 10 to 12 seats in the upcoming assembly elections.

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar’s NCP.

During a press conference in Nagpur, Athawale said his party will request three to four seats in Vidarbha, specifically in north Nagpur, Umred, Umarkhed in Yavatmal, and Washim.

He said, “The RPI-A has identified 18 potential seats, which we will share with our Mahayuti allies in the coming days, and we aim to secure at least 10 to 12 seats in the seat-sharing arrangement.”

He also proposed that the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP each allocate four seats from their quotas to RPI(A).

Earlier in Palghar, Athawale expressed frustration over the lack of ministerial positions for his party despite prior assurances, attributing this to the inclusion of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP in the Mahayuti government. He said that RPI(A) had been promised cabinet roles, chairmanship of two corporations, and participation in district-level committees, which ultimately did not materialise due to Pawar’s entry into the BJP-led alliance.

The elections for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra are expected in November. The BJP currently holds the most seats, with 103 MLAs, followed by the Shiv Sena with 40, NCP with 41, Congress with 40, Shiv Sena (UBT) with 15, NCP (SP) with 13, and others accounting for 29, with some seats still vacant.