With the government retreating from the commanding heights of the economy that it once occupied, the private sector is gradually taking over its role as an employer. Republican Party of India (RPI-A) president and union minister of state for social justice Ramdas Athavale said if re-elected, the Narendra Modi government will consider extending the present system of quotas for weaker sections like Dalits and tribals to the private sector.

The Dalit leader said the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) led by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar, would help the BJP- Shiv Sena by eating into the Congress and NCP's votes.

Edited excerpts from an interview:

RPI workers feel that the party has not been given its due despite being a BJP ally.

We have not been given positions of power, be it a ministerial berth or legislative position. The chief minister had promised us that two- thirds of our leaders will be made ministers for six months each, but the Cabinet expansion had been held up.

You began your career as an activist of the Dalit Panthers and often attacked hardline Hindutva. How do you reconcile your alliance with the BJP?

We still continue our battle against fundamentalism, our alliance with them (BJP) does not mean we have compromised on our ideology. Though we are with the BJP, we have condemned the murders of rationalists like Dr Narendra Dabholkar and (CPI leader) Govind Pansare. Ideological battles must be fought ideologically. The RPI is with the BJP, but we have an Ambedkarite agenda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi supports Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

The RPI used to demand quotas in the private sector. Are you still firm on it?

The demand stands even today. The public sector is being privatised gradually. No government undertaking must see 100 per cent privatisation. The government must retain a 51 per cent share, while allowing the private sector in the balance 49 per cent. Reservations (for weaker sections) must also be allowed in the private sector through a legislation. I have said it twice in the meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and if re-elected, the Modi government will consider extending the quota system to the private sector.

The BJP's critics claim that social and religious polarisation has increased under its regime.

The Hindu-Muslim dispute is not serious. In 1993, there were riots after bomb blasts in Mumbai. In 26 years, there were bomb blasts in the city, but no riots happened. The Congress is trying to fuel Hindu-Muslim disputes and also trying to provoke Dalits against upper castes.

What would you say about incidents like mob lynching on suspicion of eating beef?

We are against incidents of mob lynching. There are instances of violence against Dalits. But, no government wants social instability under its watch. These incidents should not be seen from a political angle, and all must try to prevent it. Such things happened even during the Congress regime. The Congress and NCP are trying to divide the society. They are accusing the BJP of being communal, but they (Congress and NCP) are the real communal forces and have preserved such forces during their 60-70 years in power.

What will be the impact of Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi in Maharashtra?

They will benefit the Shiv Sena and BJP by dividing the Congress and NCP's support though VBA candidates will not walk away with substantial votes.