Nagpur: In a surprising disclosure, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that a political leader once offered to back him for the Prime Minister’s position, but he turned it down and said he had no desire to chase that ambition.
“I remember one incident — I would not name anyone — that person said if you are going to become Prime Minister, we will support you,” Union Minister Gadkari said on Saturday at a journalism awards function here, without specifying when the conversation took place.
“But, I asked why you should support me, and why should I take your support. To become the prime minister is not my goal. I am loyal to my conviction and my organisation, and I am not going to compromise for any post because my conviction is foremost for me,” the senior BJP leader added.
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In his speech, Nitin Gadkari underlined the importance of ethics in journalism and politics.
Nitin Gadkari recalled telling a top CPI functionary that the late A B Bardhan was one of Nagpur and Vidarbha’s tallest leaders.
When the leader expressed surprise that Bardhan was an opponent of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Nitin Gadkari responded that honest dissent should be appreciated.
“I said one should respect a person who opposes with honesty because there is honesty in his opposition…. one who opposes with dishonesty deserves no respect,” he said.
Comrade Bardhan was true to his ideology, and such people are in short supply in politics and journalism today, he noted.
The BJP leader went on to say that democracy would only be successful if the four pillars—the judiciary, executive, legislature, and media—adhered to ethical standards.
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–IANS
