‘Banda Bhi Sahi, Party Bhi,’ Nitin Gadkari Retorts When Critics Call Him a ‘Misfit in the BJP’

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari responded wryly on Tuesday to the rumors circulating among his detractors that he was the right guy in the wrong party, saying that “both the party and the man are right.”

Union Minister Gadkari remarked, “The buzz about being a misfit in the BJP is completely wrong,” while speaking at the CNN-News18 Rising Bharat Summit. Both the guy and the party are correct, but the party is not. I have been involved with the student branch of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). I was a student leader when I began my political career. Whatever virtue you see in me is a result of what I learned at RSS.

In preparation for the Lok Sabha elections, which are set to take place in seven stages starting on April 7, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its second list of 72 candidates last week. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was one of the 20 Maharashtra-based contenders listed on the list.

The federal minister discussed why he decided against releasing his posters or organizing sizable protests in Nagpur, Maharashtra, his home district, in advance of the Lok Sabha elections.

“If you visit my constituency, you will understand that I don’t believe in discrimination in any form,” he said to CNN-News 18. I follow PM Modi’s mantra of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas.” I just think that relationships are important.

“My constituency’s residents are like my family. They have trust in me since they have followed my work over the last ten years. I continue to support door-to-door campaigning. I’m going to go around to people’s residences and individually meet them all. I’ll be able to relate to the senior population in this manner too.

NITIN GADKARI ANSWERS TO THE INVITE FROM UDDHAV THACKERAY
In response to Uddhav Thackeray, the head of the Shiv Sena (UBT), inviting people to “join us if you feel insulted,” Gadkari said, “There is no question of joining some other party.” It is ridiculous to make such an offer.

In defense of his position, Gadkari said that there was little discussion of the Maharashtra candidates prior to the BJP’s first list announcement. “My name was on the list of applicants from Maharashtra when a meeting for them was subsequently conducted. The idea of joining a different party is off the table.

He then on, “I have been with the BJP and I will stay with this party because I believe in its ideology.”