Nitin Gadkari on caste politics: ‘Those who can't win elections…’

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. (Photo Credit: bjp.org)

Union minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari has frowned upon the use of caste in politics and said that politicians who can’t win elections on the basis of their work talk about it. Gadkari was speaking to News18 India at the ‘Chaupal’ conclave on Monday evening.

Stating that it is the BJP’s commitment to ensure social and economic equality in India, Gadkari said the BJP or the RSS never discuss policies and ideas on the basis of caste, community or religion. He further. lamented that backwardness had become an issue of political interest.

“Unfortunately, there is a competition among everyone to prove that he is backward…Our problem today is not caste and community – it is poverty, hunger and unemployment. How we can serve the poor, farmers, those living in villages, the marginalised on the basis of good governance and the right policies are what BJP works on,” said Gadkari, who handles the Union Road Transport and Highways portfolio.

Asked if there was merit in the Opposition’s demand for a caste census, Gadkari chose to steer clear of the question of whether such an exercise should be taken up or not. He did, however, put forth an argument.

“Has any caste-based leader done anything good for people of his community? When it comes to giving poll tickets, they says ‘give a ticket to my wife, my son, daughter, uncle, driver… What sort of upliftment is this?” Gadkari wondered, adding that there are ample examples of people whom we see as icons in society who have never done this.

Gadkari then claimed that political leaders who cannot win elections based on their work seek votes on the basis of caste. “Leaders who are incapable of winning elections based on their work are the ones who seek votes in the name of caste.”

The minister further added that the backward communities – socially or economically – will continue to get reservations as per their constitutional right.

The minister also said during his interaction that he has never aspired to become the Prime Minister of the country. The comments came days after Gadkari said a senior Opposition leader had approached him with an offer to back his candidacy for the prime ministerial post ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Gadkari claimed that he turned down the offer, citing his unwavering commitment to his party and its ideology.