Nitin Gadkari reposes faith in PM Modi to win 2024 elections; Says there is no plan to quit politics

New Delhi: Fueling speculation of quitting politics, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has said he has no such plans, while asserting with confidence that the Narendra Modi-led government will be cornered on a host of issues. Talking about the issues despite the efforts of the opposition, it will come to power for the third time in 2024 on the basis of positive agenda and development works under the leadership of PM Modi.

Gadkari, during an interaction with IANS, spoke on a wide range of issues, including the functioning of the government, allegations leveled by the opposition and speculation about his quitting politics.

Here are the excerpts:

Question: The NDA has completed nine years at the Centre. On this occasion, a special campaign is being run across the country, as well as the achievements of the government are also being counted. However, the opposition parties, especially the Congress, have been quite critical of the functioning of the government…

Gadkari: On the occasion of the 75th year of the country’s independence, we are celebrating Amrit Mahotsav. In these 75 years, Congress got a chance to work for about 60 years. But we can say that we have done more in nine years than what the Congress could not do in 60 years.

India is a fast growing major economy. In the coming days, India will become a $5 trillion ‘super economy’. India will become ‘Vishwaguru’ under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are getting good results from it and will achieve success in the coming times also.

Question: But the opposition is accusing your government of strangling democracy, putting pressure on constitutional institutions and Rahul Gandhi is accusing your government of phone tapping…

Gadkari: The opposition parties have been doing such things just to play their role of being in the opposition. However, on the strength of our positive actions, we will reach out to the people and seek their support. People can see the development that is happening. Highways are being built, world class railway stations are being built and new airports are coming up. Industries are setting up businesses, and exports are on the rise.

If we look at government programs, each and every person will be benefited in some way or the other. That’s why I am confident that we will get the support of the public and our government will be re-elected in 2024.

Question: Opposition parties are also busy building fronts against your government for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections…

GadkariTwo and two never make four in politics. We are confident that we will do well on the strength of our work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. People will elect us once again for the development of the country.

Q: What according to you is the biggest achievement of your ministry?

Gadkari: When I became a minister in 2014, around 1 crore people were engaged in transporting people. Then I came up with e-rickshaws and today I can say that the practice of carrying humans by humans is almost over. In fact today handicapped persons and women are also driving e-rickshaws.

Due to this, about 1.5 crore people got employment and the level of pollution has also come down. It is an economical option for the underprivileged as four persons can travel together on one e-rickshaw. I got roads, highways and tunnels built and I consider all these works as my biggest achievements and that of the government.

Underlining that he believes in ‘politics of service’ more than ‘politics of power’, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has rubbished speculation saying that he plans to quit politics, while He said that he is not upset with the BJP. It was decided not to include him in the parliamentary board of the party.

Question: For the last few months, some of your statements have been in the headlines. There was also talk that you would hang up your boots and not contest the next election. Is there any truth in these?

Gadkari: I have said that serving the society is politics, and politics is not just power. Politics means social work and working for the nation as well as doing developmental work. It is about working for the villages, the underprivileged, the laborers and the downtrodden.

We need to redefine the meaning of politics and take it to the people. When I talked about this, some people wrote that I am going to leave politics, while I did not say anything about contesting elections. I just said that I am more interested in ‘politics of service’ than ‘politics of power’. However, some people took it out of context.