"The ruling Samajwadi Party government should not be vengeful towards Dalit community. A probe should be conducted to find out who was behind the decapitation of Mayawati's statue," Athawale said.
The RPI leader asked his partymen to burn effigies of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. "Effigies of Akhilesh should be burnt across the state by RPI workers," he said.
The Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh recently renamed eight districts, which had been earlier named after Dalit leaders during Mayawati's rule as the chief minister.
"The Samajwadi Party had assured that they will not change the names if they come to power. Names given to the districts after the architect of the Constitution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Shahu Maharaj and Gautam Buddha should be retained," Athawale told a press conference here.
He said the decision taken by Akhilesh Yadav was wrong.
Athawale, who met Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray yesterday to inquire his health, said the latter was doing fine. "He (Thackeray) said he faces problem while breathing. I have invited him for RPI's 50th anniversary on October 3," he said.
