'If You Are Going To Become PM...': Nitin Gadkari Reveals Oppn Leader's Offer During Lok Sabha Polls
Nitin Gadkari said that becoming the prime minister is not the aim in his life and added that he is loyal to his conviction and the organisation.
Union Minister for Transport and National Highways Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said he was approached by one of the senior opposition political leaders with the prime ministership offer ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections earlier this year, but he declined the offer.
"I remember one incident -- I would not name anyone -- that person said 'if you are going to become prime minister, we will support you," Gadkari said at a journalism awards function in Nagpur, according to PTI.
Gadkari didn't elaborate on the details about the incident or the name of the opposition leader. However, he said that the offer was made amid speculations that the BJP might not secure a full majority in the Lok Sabha polls.
"But, I asked why you should support me, and why should I take your support. To become the prime minister is not the aim in my life. 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 union minister said.
During his speech, the BJP veteran underlined the importance of ethics in both journalism and politics.
He slammed the so-called “supari journalists” who misuse the Right to Information Act for blackmail and personal gains. He went on to say how some journalists used unethical means to acquire luxury items, including Mercedes cars, according to a report in Hindustan Times.
During the event, the minister recalled a meeting with a senior CPI functionary and said he told the communist leader that late A.B. Bardhan was among the tallest politicians from Nagpur and Vidarbha.
When the leader expressed surprise saying that Bardhan was an opponent of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Gadkari said honest opposition should be respected.
"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, said Gadkari.Comrade Bardhan was faithful to his ideology, and politics as well as journalism now lack such people," he said.
Democracy will be successful only when all four pillars -- judiciary, executive, legislature and media -- follow ethics, he added.
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