BJP ally opposes beef ban

Republican Party of India (A), a
partner in the grand alliance led by the ruling BJP during the assembly polls in Maharashtra, today made it clear that it is opposed to the beef ban in the state.
"We support cow slaughter ban but are against the slaughter of calves. The ban will cause immense hardship to farmers who will be forced to keep old cattle," RPI (A) leader Ramdas Athawale told reporters here.
"After the ban came into effect, price of mutton has soared. The common man can not afford that. The butchers have also met me and sought my intervention," he said.

Athawale also expressed his wish that the government builds a memorial for Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in the sea, on the lines of the proposed Shivaji Maharaj memorial off Mumbai coast.
He also met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to invite him to perform 'bhumipujan' of Ambedkar memorial on Indu mill land in Dadar on April 14, the birth anniversary of Ambedkar.
To a query on the Aurangabad and Navi Mumbai municipal corporation polls slated next month, Athawale said RPI expects to get at least eigth to ten seats in seat sharing with BJP and Sena for Aurangabad poll.