Nagpur: There is no doubt that Narendra Modi will become the prime minister again and no question of any other potential candidate for the top post, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said Tuesday, dismissing suggestions that he’s “prime minister material”.
“The public looking at all the development work under PM Modi’s leadership will once again repose its faith in us. In 2024, too, our party will come to power, and Modi ji will be the PM. This is a one-sided election, and BJP will win,” Gadkari said.
Amid protests in different parts of the country over the party giving tickets to defectors rather than old party veterans, the former BJP national president said the BJP’s ideology has inspired leaders and workers to join from other parties.
“We need to add more people to the party. Those who are inspired and motivated by the ideology of the party. That is very important, and that will strengthen the party,” said Gadkari.
In a wide-ranging interview with ThePrint at his residence in Nagpur ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Gadkari spoke at length about issues ranging from the BJP’s ideology and expansion plans in the South to the opposition alliance.
Also read: Who is Anil Desai, unseen force of Uddhav Sena, now in poll fray from tricky Mumbai South Central
‘Opposition frustrated, fear the BJP’
Reflecting on the BJP’s journey since 1980, Gadkari said the party is moving forward based on three principles — “nationalism, good governance, and development and socio-economic thinking of Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay”.
“The party is going forward — the reason we are getting more support. I feel that the ideology of the party will never change. That is to be the base of the party,” he added.
“We have constructed Ram Mandir; we have taken a decision on Article 370, so I feel that it (BJP) is on the right path. And whatever the principles, expectations, and commitments on which the party was formed… we are working, and we will complete that goal,” he said.
Gadkari also said that the Opposition’s allegation that the Sangh calls the shots in the government is “totally false”.
“RSS is not involved in politics. I am Swayamsevak. And many of the Swayamsevaks support me. RSS is a social and cultural organisation,” said the BJP leader, who comes from an RSS background.
Gadkari rubbished claims that the BJP government was not creating enough job opportunities, saying, “Opposition is frustrated, and they are not ready to accept the development… The public is the real judge, and they will decide appropriately. We don’t need to convince Congress or the opposition as we have already convinced the people of this country.”
About the INDIA bloc, Gadkari said, “Opposition is united because they fear the strength of the BJP.”
Asked about the opposition making caste census a poll plank, Gadkari said, “We believe in politics, which is beyond caste, religion, creed, sex — that is the principle of the BJP. ‘Sabka saath, sabka vishwas‘.”
The party, he added, is in favour of giving concessions and reservations to socially, economically, and educationally backward people.
Countering allegations of the BJP also indulging in dynasty politics, Gadkari said there is a difference between the dynasty politics of the Opposition and the BJP giving a chance to youngsters from a political background.
“If anyone is the son or daughter of anybody, it is not their disqualification. The problem is when the father and mother demand tickets for their sons and daughters… But if they have support from the public and people (in getting a ticket), there is no problem,” he said.
‘South will give us a boost’
While admitting that the party is trying to expand in the South and that it’s difficult, Gadkari said the BJP would perform better there than last time.
“South is difficult, but South, this election, will give us a boost. We are very much confident in Karnataka. Regarding Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where our strength is negligible, we will still get a good victory. And regarding Andhra Pradesh, we have a good alliance. And Telangana also, our performance will be better compared with the last election,” he said.
Asked about allegations of Hindi imposition, Gadkari said the opposition leaders have been trying to mislead the people.
“We respect the culture, history, and language of South India. ‘Anekta mai ekta, yahi humair visheshta‘ (unity in diversity) — this is exactly the feeling of the party. We are not against any language,” he said.
“We have made a decision that at the state level, engineering and medical science (courses) will be offered in the regional languages. So, this, exactly, indicates what type of feeling we have,” he added.
Asked about tickets denied to sitting MPs, including those who won by big margins in 2019, Gadkari said: “…the party has taken decisions on the basis of merit. (The) parliament board and party office bearers discussed and researched. On the basis of that, the party president and the board have taken a decision… we should respect that”.
Commenting on the 75-year ceiling that often crops up in discussions in the BJP about the retirement age of politicians, Gadkari said, “Everything is with the party president and party leadership. They have to make the decision”.
On whether the 75-year ceiling would apply to the PM, Gadkari said it is also the prerogative of the party president and leadership.
Highlighting the work done during his ministerial term, he said, “The road infrastructure of India is well recognised and well respected in the whole world. I (had) promised the people of India that at the end of 2024, our major highway network will be equivalent to the USA’s.”
About the expressways, tunnels, roads, and bridges built during his time, Gadkari said their “quality and standard is beyond excellent”.
“I am confident that people now are very much satisfied, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Arunachal, and Meghalaya, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Himachal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, everywhere you go, people and even the opposition will recognise and accept (that) the way our government has executed the road network is a matter of great pride and pleasure for the people,” he added.
Gadkari also claimed that his Lok Sabha constituency, Nagpur, has seen development work worth Rs 1 lakh crore over the past 10 years.
“I don’t need to campaign because people are experiencing work I have done. I feel that when we fulfil expectations of people, they vote for us,” he said.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
Also read: MVA clinches seat-sharing deal in Maharashtra, Congress caves on coveted seats