There is speculation that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari may quit politics. Gadkari once again indicated that he was losing interest in politics. His statement has not only fueled speculation of a possible rift with the party high command, but also that he may be denied a ticket for the 2024 general elections. His remarks are being seen as an indication that the Nagpur strongman with close links to the RSS is unhappy about his relationship with the top BJP leaders.
Not ready to apply more butter – Gadkari
Speaking at an award function on Sunday, Gadkari had said that even though he has won two elections, he wants people to vote for him only if they like his work. Gadkari, who attended the Dr. Mohan Dharia Nation Building Award ceremony in Nagpur, said that he is not going to butter the vote. Gadkari said, ‘I am doing many experiments in the country including bio fuel and watershed conservation. If people like it, fine… otherwise don’t vote for me. I am not ready to apply much butter for popular politics.
“Vote for whoever they want”
The minister’s statement was misrepresented by the media, The Times of India quoted an official in Gadkari’s office as saying. “He (Gadkari) had only made it clear that he would not do appeasement politics to get votes,” he said. Even before this, Gadkari had hinted about his plans by making similar statements in public forums. Addressing members of the Halba Adivasi Mahasangh in January, he told them to vote for whomever they want, as it is their choice.
In July last year, he had said that sometimes he felt that he should quit politics as there was a lot more that needed to be done for the society. Subsequently, he was not only excluded from the BJP’s parliamentary board, but also from the Central Election Committee (CEC). The reshuffle in the BJP’s Central Election Committee saw the inclusion of several new faces, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
People say ‘roadkari’
On speculations of Gadkari quitting politics, a senior BJP leader told The Times of India that his exit from active politics would be a big loss for Maharashtra as a whole and Vidarbha region in particular. He said, “Ever since he was elected MP of the city, he has led development across the country. He is responsible for changing the face of Nagpur in his short tenure of eight years. Opposition leaders also appreciate his work. This is the reason why they are often called ‘Roadkari’.”
Before 2014, Gadkari did not contest any direct election, but was elected as an MLC on the graduate constituency seat in Maharashtra. After becoming the national president of the BJP, he was offered a Lok Sabha ticket in 2014, where he defeated seven-time MP Vilas Muttemwar. He retained his seat in the 2019 elections by defeating Nana Patole.
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