RPI chief Ramdas Athawale tests positive for Covid-19

Veteran politician and union minister Ramdas Athawale – whose ‘Go Corona Go’ slogan became the nation's anthem to fight coronavirus – tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday.

Athawale (60) is the president of Republican Party of India (Athawale) and Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.

“Athawale tested positive for Covid-19 and has been admitted to a private hospital for four days. He is asymptomatic and stable,” said RPI (A) spokesperson Hemant Ranpise.

“Athawale, who coined the slogan ‘Go Corona Go’ is known for his fighting spirit and struggles….he will defeat Covid-19 and will be back in action soon,” he said.

On Monday, Athawale had presided over a crowded event, when actresses Payal Ghosh, Soni Kanishka, lawyer Nitin Satpute, realtor Yogesh Karkera and businessman Ankush Chaphekar, formally joined the RPI (A).

The Dalit leader and humourist came up with the slogan ‘Go Corona Go’ – that went viral on social media with hashtags #GoCoronaGo #GoCorona trending for days. The slogan that nearly became the nation's war-cry against the fatal virus was also used as ring tones for mobile phones and was sung collectively at several places.