The Union Minister of State for Social Justice said " Donald of the Republican Party has been elected as US President. I will go to the US soon to meet him."
"The way he has become the President, a person belonging to the RPI should also one day become the President," Athawale told reporters.
"I congratulate him (Trump) on behalf of the Republican Party and express happiness that the Republican Party candidate will now occupy the White House," 56-year-old Athawale said.
Athawale, known for his comic sense, is a prominent Dalit leader from Maharashtra whose induction into the Narendra Modi government five months ago was seen as part of BJP's endeavour to reach out to the politically crucial segment ahead of elections to five states including Uttar Pradesh.