Declined opposition’s offer for PM candidacy ahead of LS polls; my ideology, party come first: Nitin Gadkari

Gadkari stated, without naming the opposition leader or providing details of the incident.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari disclosed on Saturday that a senior politician from the opposition had approached him with an offer to back his candidacy for the prime ministerial post ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Speaking at a journalism awards event in Nagpur, Gadkari revealed that he turned down the offer, citing his unwavering commitment to his party and its ideology.

“I told the leader that I am guided by a particular ideology and firm beliefs. I am part of a party that has given me everything I could have ever dreamed of. No offer can tempt me,” Gadkari stated, without naming the opposition leader or providing details of the incident. He hinted that the proposal came amid speculation that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might not secure a full majority in the upcoming elections and could potentially need support from opposition parties.

Although Gadkari did not name the politician behind the offer, it is known that the INDIA alliance, a coalition of opposition parties, has frequently praised the senior BJP leader, who represents Nagpur in the Lok Sabha.

During the same event, Gadkari expressed concern over unethical journalism practices, specifically targeting those who misuse the Right to Information (RTI) Act. He criticized journalists who exploit RTI for personal gain, recalling an incident in the Public Works Department (PWD) where a journalist allegedly attempted to blackmail officials. Gadkari admitted to instructing his officers to physically confront the journalist, resulting in the suspension of the publication.