Often projected as a popular alternative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in case the Bharatiya Janata Party falls short of the majority mark in next month’s Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari made it clear that he had never sought the top job.
“Not at all. Never. Never have I said it and never I have any attitude or like that,” Gadkari said when asked about any potential interest in pitching for prime minister.
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Gadkari said a section of the media always projected him as a presumptive prime minister if the BJP stumbled at the polls, but he was confident that such a situation would not arise.
“I am working for the country and as far as the political situation is concerned, we are confident we are going to win this election and Narendra Modi ji will be the next prime minister,” he said.
Gadkari refused to comment when asked if the Congress was trying to play him against Modi and BJP President Amit Shah by repeatedly praising his work as a minister.