Nitin Gadkari in India TV's Chunav Manch
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that the PM Modi-led government is going into the Lok Sabha Elections with development as its biggest weapon. Gadkari said, "Today we are thinking of reaching Meerut from Delhi in 45 minutes. That's our work."
Nitin Gadkari was answering questions on India TV's day-long conclave - Chunav Manch 2019. Asked about an account of his government's work, Gadkari said, "development would speak for itself." He highlighted a range of projects and development works done by the Modi-led govt, including the Delhi-Meerut Expressway that cuts the travel time between Delhi and Meerut to 45 minutes from two-and-half hours.
Talking about other achievements of the government, the senior BJP leader said the Modi government had no blot of corruption in the last five years. "In my ministry, contracts of over Rs 17 Lakh crore have been issued without any accusation of corruption. There has been no previous government which has finished its term without corruption charges," he said.
In an elaborate interview to India TV's Senior Executive Editor Saurav Sharma, Gadkari also made it a point to say that the Opposition was bound to criticize the ruling party just to stay relevant. "It is Opposition's nature to criticise the government. Whoever is in Opposition is bound to criticise the ruling party to remain relevant," he said.
On the Opposition's effort to put up a brave face in the name of Mahagathbandhan, Gadkari said the parties were aware that they will not be able to defeat BJP on their own. "This fear has united even the most unlikely parties. Those who once did not even look at each other have come together because they are scared of yet another defeat at the hands of BJP," he said.
As the country inches towards the Lok Sabha election, the BJP leader exuded full confidence of winning the crucial polls. "PM Modi came to power on hopes and dreams of people. He has done as much work in five years as was done in the previous 50 years. PM Modi will return to power with over 300 seats," Gadkari said.
Gadkari, however, downplayed frequent reports of his name in the Prime Ministerial race. "I have no ambition for the PM's chair. People ask this question to create a wedge between me and PM Modi. We will win general elections again and PM Modi will return to PMO," he said.
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