Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that he was once offered support for the Prime Ministerial post by a senior opposition leader, if he were to enter the race, and added that he declined the offer stating that he did not nurse that ambition. His remarks came at a journalism awards function in his parliamentary constituency Nagpur.
“One senior leader from the opposition party approached me with the offer of prime ministership. I was told if I gave the nod they would work towards my prime ministership,” Gadkari said.
“I immediately rejected the offer. I categorically told that leader, I am a person who believes in ideology and conviction. I have always lived and worked on principles,” he added.
“But, I asked why you should support me, and why should I take your support. To become the prime minister is not the aim in my life. I am loyal to my conviction and my organisation, and I am not going to compromise for any post because my conviction is foremost for me,” Gadkari added.
Although Gadkari refrained from identifying the opposition leader or sharing more details, his revelation has come as a surprise to many within his own party. Despite his roots in the RSS-BJP, Gadkari has cordial relations with leaders across parties, including Congress.
The Union Minister noted the value of ethics in politics as well as journalism. Reiterating his long-standing friendship with Communist leader A B Bardhan, Gadkari said, “I was often asked about my friendship and respect for Bardhan. I liked his commitment and conviction to his party. Whether it is politics or any profession, what matters is conviction.”
Gadkari said he told the communist leader that late AB Bardhan was among the tallest politicians from Nagpur and Vidarbha. When the leader expressed surprise, saying that Bardhan was an opponent of the RSS, Gadkari said honest opposition should be respected.
“I said one should respect a person who opposes with honesty, because there is honesty in his opposition….one who opposes with dishonesty deserves no respect,” said Gadkari.
Incidentally, Nitin Gadkari’s name emerged in discussion as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate during both the 2024 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
