Chennai: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today, said, “There is no ‘220 club’ in BJP which hopes a reduced tally for the party in the Lok Sabha elections could see the emergence of an alternative to PM Narendra Modi and this was mere speculation in media circles.”
The Minister ruled out any such discussion, asserting that the party would return to office with a full majority on the basis of Modi’s leadership.
“There is no such thing. Those who want to write will write,” Gadkari said responding to a question that he was often mentioned as a leader who could work with allies and was also close to the RSS. “I don’t do such calculations or have any such expectations. I am a worker of the party. I am sure that the work done under PM Narendra Modi will result in a full majority. So no such situation is going to happen,” he said.
Gadkari said it was unfortunate that the air strikes and Ram mandir were being politicised, saying demands for proof of the attack on terror camps in Pakistan were uncalled for. “People are laughing at them (opposition). Do you seek proof of what our forces have done and their intentions?” he asked.
He said the language used by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in attacking Modi was deplorable and indicated a new low for politics. “People should respect the PM’s post. Using derogatory remarks is very bad. It’s unfortunate to see what Congress is doing,” he said.