Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments, stating that people should not take his remarks seriously.
Speaking in an interview with PTI, Gadkari expressed skepticism over Gandhi’s allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi suffers from memory loss, comparing him to US President Joe Biden. “The way Rahul Gandhi speaks, nobody takes him seriously.. I think people should not take his remarks seriously,” Gadkari said, describing the Congress leader’s statements as “irresponsible.”
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When asked about the challenges faced by the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance following a poor performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Gadkari acknowledged that opposition narratives had caused confusion among voters.“A narrative was created that if we win 400-plus seats, we will amend the Constitution drafted by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar,” he said, asserting that the BJP had no intention of altering the Constitution. “We will neither do it, nor allow others to do it,” Gadkari added.
Addressing concerns about BJP’s commitment to development amidst controversial remarks by party members, including the ‘batenge toh katenge’ slogan, Gadkari reaffirmed that the party was contesting the elections on the platform of development.
He emphasised unity among citizens, saying, “We are all one. Some go to temple, some to mosque, gurdwara and church. But we are all Bharatiya and the country is above everything else for us.”
On the growing rift within the Mahayuti alliance, following Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s opposition to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath’s controversial remark, Gadkari downplayed the tension, explaining that the alliance consisted of different parties with varying opinions. “The call for unity was to unite against terrorism and Naxalism,” he said.
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Responding to Gandhi’s remarks on caste census, Gadkari said the real issues were the welfare of villages, the poor, and farmers. “The poor have no caste and religion. A Muslim gets petrol at the same rate as others,” he stated.
On speculation about his future in the party, Gadkari clarified, “I have been the BJP president earlier and don’t have any desire for that post now.”