Union Minister Dismisses Claims Against NDA's Treatment of Regional Parties

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has strongly rejected allegations that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to undermine smaller regional parties. In a recent interview, he highlighted his party's growth since joining the NDA and criticized Mamata Banerjee for the political issues in West Bengal. Athawale also addressed derogatory comments made by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, emphasizing the importance of respectful discourse in politics. His remarks underscore the NDA's commitment to inclusivity and the strengthening of its coalition under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 19, 2026, 16:49 IST

Minister Ramdas Athawale Responds to Allegations

On Friday, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale refuted allegations suggesting that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is attempting to eliminate smaller regional parties. Speaking to a news media outlet in Delhi, he described such claims as unfounded and cited his own political journey as evidence of the NDA's inclusive approach.

Athawale, who leads the Republican Party of India (A), emphasized that his partnership with the NDA has not hindered but rather facilitated the growth of his organization. He stated, "I believe there is no substance to these accusations. My party is small, yet since joining the NDA, we have expanded our reach to 28 states and 8 union territories, gaining recognition even in Nagaland and Manipur. Thus, there is no truth to these allegations."

Criticism of Mamata Banerjee and NDA's Strength

The minister also targeted Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress, accusing her of contributing to the political 'criminalization' of West Bengal during her tenure as Chief Minister. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, attributing the NDA's success to his guidance.

Athawale remarked that Banerjee initially aimed to transform Bengal into 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal) but ultimately failed, leading to a significant rise in political crime. He noted that, for the first time since independence, West Bengal has achieved the highest voter turnout, with 20 of her MPs recently defecting to the NCPI. He asserted that the NDA's strength has increased, bolstered by PM Modi's leadership.

Response to Sanjay Raut's Comments

In light of potential divisions within the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray, Athawale addressed derogatory remarks made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut regarding his party's MPs. He expressed understanding of Raut's frustration over the departure of numerous MPs but emphasized that using offensive language is inappropriate. "In Maharashtra, using such language is not our tradition. Sanjay Raut is also a Rajya Sabha MP, and I believe such expressions are not right," he stated.