RPI's Athavale wants Cabinet berth, meets Pawar

Emerging from about a 30-minute meeting with the NCP chief, Athavale said his party deserved a berth in the cabinet.

Apparently sulking at "not being included" in the ministry, RPI(A) leader Ramdas Athavale on Saturday met NCP chief Sharad Pawar in New Delhi to make him plead his case with the Congress.

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Emerging from about a 30-minute meeting with the NCP chief, Athavale told reporters that his party deserved a berth in the Council of Ministers, but so far no intimation has been received by him.

He asserted that his party wanted a Cabinet berth and would not settle for any Minister of State rank.

Athavale, who is the lone member of his party elected to the 14th Lok Sabha, said Pawar had recommended his name to Congress and that party should consider it.

He, however, emphasised that he would continue to support Congress-led Government.