New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari who shared the dais at ABP's Budget Conclave on Saturday came out in his defense over his recent remarks which courted quite the controversy in the political circles. Gadkari had recently said that while political leaders look good while making big promises, if they dont fulfill their tall claims, they are beaten up by the public. The Union Minister said that he had been quoted out of context and only selective portions of his remarks were taken and twisted in the media circles.

He said that critics should read his full statement and then only make their observations about what he actually meant. Gadkari praised former Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru as a writer and added that he was an avid reader of books written by Nehru. Gadkari also showered praises on Nehru's developmental model for the country but added that the BJP had a different growth model which will take India to greater heights.

When asked whether he was in the race for becoming the Prime Minister, he clearly declined, saying he was not in contention. He said that he was very happy with what position he had achieved in the party ranks by working for the public.

Nitin Gadkari denied opposition's allegation of presenting an unconstitutional budget on Feb 1. He said we have right to present the budget and that is what we did. Highlighting the achievements on Modi govt, he said that the measures announced by Piyush Goyal in the 2019 interim bugdet shall benifit 12 crore farmers and reach out to almost 50 crores workers in the unorganised sector.The government prepared the interim budget taking into account the needs of the poor and needy. He added that the new scheme wherby the marginal farmer holding upto 2 hectres of land shall get Rs 6000 per year, would be of great help to them.

Gadkari added that the Budget should not be linked to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and political parties should refrain from giving the budget a political angle. Gadkari dint hold back at saying that deamening the Prime Minister and his post by hurling abuses or calling him derogatory names dosent befit well of leaders of the opposition and holds them in poor light. He lashed out at Rahul Gandhi saying that the only thing the Congress President is to criticize any positive measures initiated by  the Modi government.

Speaking on the sensitive matter of Ram Mandir construction at Ayodhya, Nitin Gadkari said that the BJP govt shall honour the final verdict of the Supreme Court as the case is subjudice. He added that if the opposition feels that the Temple construction wont take place during the BJP regime, Congress President Rahul Gandhi is free to propose the govt on the matter.

Speaking on the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Gadkari said that he was very confident that the BJP will get the mandate of the people and form the government at the Centre. He said that the BJP-led NDA coliation is set to get more seats than what they got in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.