'Banda Bhi Sahi, Party Bhi...': Nitin Gadkari Responds as Opponents Call Him 'Misfit in BJP'

In a quirky response to the buzz among opponents about him being a right man in the wrong party, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said party bhi sahi hai aur banda bhi (both party and the man are right).

Speaking at the CNN-News18’s Rising Bharat Summit, Union Minister Gadkari said, “The buzz about being a misfit in the BJP is completely wrong. Party bhi sahi hai aur banda bhi (both party and the man are right). I have been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the party’s student wing. I started my political career as a student leader. Whatever goodness you see in me is due to my learnings at RSS.”

Last week, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) released its second list of 72 candidates for Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held in seven phases from April 7. The list included Union Minister Nitin Gadkari among the 20 candidates announced from Maharashtra.

The union minister shed light on his choice of not opting to release his posters or holding extensive poll rallies in his constituency, Maharashtra’s Nagpur, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

He told CNN-News18, “If you visit my constituency, you will understand that I don’t believe in discrimination in any form. I go by what PM Modi says, Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas. I only believe in connecting with people.“

“The people of my constituency are like my family. They have monitored my work in the last 10 years and they have faith in me. I still believe in door-to-door campaigns. I will personally visit people’s houses and meet everyone. This way I can connect with the elderly crowd, too.”

Nitin Gadkari Responds To Uddhav Thackeray’s Invite

Responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s “join us if you feel insulted” invite, Gadkari said, “No question of joining some other party. This kind of an offer is laughable.”

Explaining his stance, Gadkari said the candidates for Maharashtra were not discussed well ahead of the BJP’s first list declaration. “A meeting was later held for Maharashtra candidates and my name appeared on the list. There is no question of joining another party.”

“I have been with the BJP and will continue with this party as I believe in its ideology,” he added.