Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Aug 25: The union highways minister Nitin Gadkari’s remarks that the “next generation must be given a chance,” that fuelled speculations in the media and political circles as a hint to his reluctance to continue in the Narendra Modi cabinet leading to the possibility of a ministerial reshuffle, was contradicted by his office on Tuesday.
“It has nothing to do with politics and has been taken out of context,” his office clarified on Tuesday.
Mr Gadkari had made the remarks at a function in Nagpur on Sunday where he had said the younger generation should be given more responsibility as “he could no longer take on as much work as before.” Stating that he had been continuously working for the last three decades or so and could not “work much more now”. “Work should be handed over to the new generation… the older generation can guide them,” the 69-year-old had said.
Mr Gadkari’s office clarified that the minister was speaking specifically about the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust that he had set up for running educational institutions and the comments were made in that context. “Nitin Gadkariji’s statement had nothing to do with politics. He was speaking specifically about the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust, an organisation established by him that runs Ekal Vidyalayas in tribal areas. In that context, Gadkari said that he could no longer take on as much work as before and that the younger generation should be given an opportunity to take greater responsibility,” the statement from the minister’s office said.
“His remarks were clearly related to the functioning and future leadership of the Trust. However, some television channels are presenting the statement as a political remark, taking it out of its actual context,” the statement underlined.
Coming close on the heels of a major BJP national executive shake-up and the party’s push towards the younger generation voters, his remarks were instantly taken as a hint for a possible Modi cabinet reshuffle to incorporate more youths. The controversy surrounding Mr Gadkari’s scheme for mixing of ethanol in petrol, which was also considered beneficial to his family business, also contributed in the speculations.
Among the senior-most members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, Gadkari has been linked to the push to adopt ethanol-blended fuel. That association has led Nagpur MP Gadkari to face criticism from citizens and activists who say the ethanol-petrol blend damages vehicle engines. The Opposition has also targeted Gadkari on this issue.
In July, the In July, the Bombay High Court said Gadkari could file civil suits against some social media platforms for posting allegedly defamatory AI-generated deepfake videos and manipulated digital content linked to the ethanol-petrol controversy. The court also told the platforms to take down all such content.
Speaking at the event in Nagpur on Sunday, Gadkari spotlighted that he has been in active public life for over three decades.
During this time, he said he experienced many ups and downs, fulfilled various responsibilities, and received many honours, adding it was no longer possible to work as hard as before. He then pitched that the new generation should step forward and get an opportunity to work.
The 69-year-old minister also mentioned the changes in his lifestyle on this occasion. He said during the early days of politics, while working for the party, he had the habit of working under any circumstances.
He ate whatever was available while traveling, living very simply, and working for the organisation regardless of time. However, Gadkari stated that he has brought discipline to his lifestyle after the Covid period.
He noted that he now practices yoga regularly. He conveyed the message that health was more important than position, power, or prestige in political and public life. By putting forward the stance that “what is the use of power and position if health is not good?” he emphasised the need for individuals in public life to pay attention to their health.