India, March 6 -- Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A) Ramdas Athawale is a veteran Dalit leader and president of the Republican Party of India (Athawale). A long-time ally of the BJP-led NDA, he currently serves as Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, and has represented Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha since 2014. Athawale began his political career in the Dalit Panther movement before entering mainstream politics through the Republican Party of India. He served as a member of the legislative council from 1990 to 1996 and was a cabinet minister in the state government during that period.He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mumbai North Central in 1998 and 1999. Known for outspoken style and strong advocacy for reservations and social justice, he is a prominent Dalit face in the NDA....