'When I Was Offered...': Here's What Nitin Gadkari Said When Asked About Opposition's PM Offer

Nitin Gadkari dismissed ambitions of replacing PM Modi in future and asserted his commitment to undertake the duties assigned to him.

File photo| Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari.

Source : PTI

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari on Thursday reiterated that he does not have any ambition to become the PM as he shared his stance on the opposition offering him the prime ministership ahead the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. 

This comes after Nitin Gadkari revealed earlier this month that he was approached with a PM's offer by one of the senior leaders of the Opposition ahead of the general elections.

"When I was offered (the Prime Minister post by an opposition party), I asked them why you want me to be the Prime Minister and why shouldn't I be with the Prime Minister (Modi). So, becoming Prime Minister is not my ambition," a report by India Today quoted Nitin Gadkari as saying.

The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways also revealed that he was not just offered to become the Opposition's PM face before the Lok Sabha polls, but also received a similar offer after the elections. "I got offers before and after elections (Lok Sabha) as well," he said.

Responding to whether he would replace PM Modi if and when he retires from active politics, Gadkari stressed that he is not in the race and is happy where he is currently.

"I am not in any race, nor have I given my biodata to anyone. I keep doing my work. I am happy where I am. Go and ask PM Modi or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) about these things," the senior BJP leader said.

He further elaborated on his role in the BJP and how he finds satisfaction in just sticking to doing his work. He said: "I am a worker of the party and a member of RSS. I won't bother even if I do not become a minister. I always feel that politics is the instrument of socioeconomic reform. I will keep doing my work and won't worry about anything".

Gadkari had said earlier this month that he had declined the PM face offer made by the Opposition when there was a buzz that BJP might not be able to attain full majority in the Lok Sabha elections.

Nitin Gadkari's name has surfaced as a potential prime ministerial candidate during both the 2024 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls.