Nagpur: Union Minister for Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on the other day said a senior opposition leader offered him the Prime Minister’s post before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. However, he turned down the offer as it was against his conviction.
The Union Minister was addressing a journalism award event in 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.
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Friday 27 Dec. 2024
“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. “I made it clear that I never harboured the ambition of becoming the PM of the country. Therefore, there was no question of taking any offer. My upbringing is such that I have lived on certain principles and convictions, which are non-negotiable and cannot be compromised.”
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. In Maharashtra, Gadkari has excellent relations with both Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray as well as NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar.
Often Pawar and Gadkari, despite representing two ideologically different parties, have shared dais at social events and praised each other.
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.”
Opposition debunks
Gadkari’s claim that a leader from the Opposition offered to back him for the coveted Prime Minister’s post, ahead of the Lok Sabha election 2024, has drawn a sharp response from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi. The Shiv Sena leader called Gadkari’s big reveal as his desire to be the Prime Minister and a message for “Modi”.
“Nitin Gadkari is expressing his heartfelt desire to be on the top chair, using the excuse of opposition parties he is sending a message to Modi. INDIA alliance has very capable leaders who can lead the country, wouldn’t want to borrow one from BJP. Well played Nitin ji,” Chaturvedi posted on social media platform X.
