Inaugurating the party's national convention here this morning, Athawale said his party would insist on 15 per cent reservation for Scheduled Caste women, 7.5 per cent reservation for Scheduled Tribes, 27 per cent reservation for OBC and 10 per cent reservation for women from minorities. He made a fervent appeal to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to consider the exploited masses and pass the Bill which could give them justice.

In his hour-long speech, Athawale accused the BJP-led government of trying to change the Constitution framed by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. He asked the workers to launch a struggle against the BJP. He announced that the RPI would vehemently oppose any attempt to change theConstitution and would launch a nationwide agitation if required.

Athawale maintained that the Centre should make genuine efforts to bring normalcy in relations with Pakistan. Athawale said the Centre should not give a single inch of Jammu & Kashmir and would also take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.