Union Transport and National Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday claimed that a senior opposition leader had offered him the prime minister’s post ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but he declined it. Addressing the media fraternity during a journalism awards ceremony, Nitin Gadkari said, “I told the leader that I am a person who follows an ideology and belief. I am in a party that has given me everything I had never imagined. No offer can tempt me.”
However, Nitin Gadkari did not name the opposition leader nor did he give details about the incident. He said that a particular senior opposition leader had approached him ahead of the 2024 general elections. It was believed that the BJP would not be able to get an absolute majority and it may need the support of some opposition parties to form the government. He said, “I told him clearly that I have grown up with certain principles and beliefs and I will not compromise on them.”
During his speech, Nitin Gadkari shared an incident as a minister from Marathwada where a journalist harassed a government official seeking advertisements. According to Gadkari, the journalist even filed a police complaint accusing the official of misbehaviour. The Union Minister expressed concern about such unethical practices and urged media organisations to be more careful while issuing authorisation cards. He concluded by stressing that despite the presence of such paid journalists, there are still many ethical journalists who uphold the principles of their profession. He gave examples of journalists who stood firm on their principles even during the Emergency and refused to compromise even if jailed.