'Autorickshaw I used was set ablaze ...': Nitin Gadkari recounts early days as party worker

File photo of Nitin Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday recounted his early days as a party worker when he travelled extensively across Maharashtra's Vidarbha for over two decades.

Gadkari, a senior BJP leader, was speaking at the felicitation of Rajasthan governor Haribhau Bagade in Sambhajinagar.

He said the definition of politics has evolved over the years and now it is all about power.

"Politics does not face the problem of differences of opinion, but that of absence of thoughts. The meaning of politics is 'samajkaran, rashtrakaran and vikaskaran' (social service, nation-building and development). But now, the definition of politics has changed to 'sattakaran' (power politics) only," he said.

He then recounted the struggles he faced as a young party workers in the aftermath of the Emergency.

"Earlier, while working as RSS workers, we faced many hurdles. There was no recognition and respect. Haribhau Bagade worked with dedication for the welfare of the people...I travelled and worked in Vidarbha for 20 long years as a party worker. People used to throw stones at our rallies. Post-Emergency, the autorickshaw I used for making announcements was set ablaze by people," he recalled.

"Now, thousands of people come to listen to me. But this popularity is not mine, it is thanks to the workers like Haribhau Bagade who worked hard and risked their lives," the Minister for Road Transport and Highways said.

Gadkari said that a good party worker is the one who behaves well even though he does not get anything in the party. Those who get something, they naturally behave well, Gadkari said.

Bagade has been associated with RSS for many decades and is a veteran BJP leader.

(With inputs from PTI)