Nitin Gadkari in Aap Ki Adalat
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that there was no question of him becoming the next Prime Minister. "BJP will get clear majority and Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister", he added.
Replying to questions from Rajat Sharma in India TV's show "Aap Ki Adalat", recorded in Nagpur today, Gadkari said: "I have full confidence that BJP will get full majority and Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister. I have no dreams of becoming PM, nor am I lobbying for that post or approached anybody."
Asked about reports in a section of media that the RSS leadership was in favour of him becoming the next PM if the BJP failed to get requisite majority, Gadkari replied: "This is incorrect. Modi Ji is the Sangh pracharak, while I am not. He has devoted his entire life for RSS, and the RSS likes him as much as it likes me and all other swayamsevaks. The Sangh never discriminates, nor does it decide who will become PM. I did not become the BJP president because of the Sangh."
(Mere se zyada toh Modi Ji Sangh ke pracharak hain. Unhone apna poora jeevan Sangh ke prachar me diya. Sangh jitna Modi Ji ko chahta hai, utna hi mujhe chahta hai, sabhi swayamsevakon ko chahta hai. Sangh kabhi discriminate nahin karta, Sanch PM tay nahi karta. Main Sangh ke karan BJP ke adhyaksh nahin bana)
In a lighter vein, Gadkari said: "Suppose if I become PM, then I can have a taste of street food? I am happy where I am. Already I have Z plus security, and I feel uncomfortable. I have never dreamed of ever being inside a gilded cage."
The Union Water Resources Minister threatened Pakistan that India would "not release a single drop of water" from the Indus river system if continued to run terror camps.
Gadkari said: "Since Partition, India and Pakistan have been drawing water from three rivers each from the Indus river system. In 1960, the Indus Water Treaty was signed between the then Pakistan ruler Ayub Khan and Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru.
"As per the treaty, India was allowing excess river water to flow to Pakistan in order to promote cordiality and brotherhood. Now they are killing our army jawans and raining bombs and shells on us. I have already said that we have stopped flow from our share of water to Pakistan, but if they continue to aid and abet terror, not a single drop of water will be given to Pakistan. We will stop the entire flow.
"I do not want to stop water, but if Pakistan continues to help terror we will stop the flow. I have already told my department officials to prepare detailed project reports. If they stop helping terror, we will release excess water, and if they help terrorists, we will stop flow of water.
"Pakistan should deeply ponder over this. The lifeline of Pakistan depends on water from the Indus river system flowing from India. If they let us live in peace and cordiality, we will not stop flow of water."
Gadkari also said that "if the Pakistani army continued to run terror camps, India will have no option but to fire missiles and decimate each and every terror camp. There is no way out. Laaton key bhoot baaton sey nahin mantey."
Asked whether Priyanka Gandhi could pose a challenge to Modi, the Union Minister said: "The truth today is that there is no leader who can challenge Modi in our country." (Aaj ki sachhai yeh hai ki aaj hamare desh me Modi ko chunouti dene wala koi nahin hai)
Gadkari said, Congress president Rahul Gandhi "is shedding crocodile tears" over senior BJP leader L K Advani. "Both Advani and M. M. Joshi had been founders and our source of inspiration. There was no question of "insulting" veteran leaders.
"The question is about age. Advani Ji is 92 years old. Change in leadership because of age is a natural phenomenon. Today it is Advani Ji, tomorrow I will grow old, and I will have to retire."
The Union Minister rubbished Rahul Gandhi's allegations about Modi government benefiting industrialist Anil Ambani in the Rafale deal.
"This is all baseless. In Nagpur, Dassault has set up a manufacturing unit with Anil Ambani's collaboration, that builds nine and eleven seater Falcon passenger jets. Till March this year, the company has exported Rs 250-300 crore worth components. This unit and its ancillary units have given jobs to people. In the next two years, this Nagpur manufacturing unit will supply Falcon passenger jets to the whole world. The government has nothing to do with this private venture."
He said, it is unfortunate on part of Rahul to say 'Chowkidar chor hai'. "This does not behove the leaders of a responsible political party. This is highly objectionable."
On PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti threatening that if Article 370 was repealed, Kashmir's connection with India would end, Gadkari said: "It is a sensitive issue. We have been demanding removal of Article 370, but the situation in the valley is presently sensitive. We have to be careful.
"Kashmiri youths should realize that it is because of Article 370, top hotel corporates like Taj, Tata and Oberoi are unable to purchase land, build hotels and give a boost to tourism, hospitality and employment. Article 370 has actually become an obstacle in the path of Kashmir's progress. Kashmir can become prosperous only when there is industrial investment through PPP mode. I hope in the coming years, the youths in Kashmir will realize this and will themselves demand removal of this Article."
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in Rajat Sharma's show 'Aap Ki Adalat' was telecast tonight on India TV at 10 pm. The show will be re-telecast tomorrow Sunday at 10 am and 10 pm.
Highlights of Aap Ki Adalat with Nitin Gadkari:
