Nitin Gadkari Reveals He Was Offered Support for PM Post, He Declined Due to Convictions

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari revealed that a political leader once offered support if he decided to run for Prime Minister, but he declined, stating he had no such aspirations. Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Gadkari recounted the incident but chose not to disclose the leader’s name or the timing of the conversation.

The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways stressed that becoming Prime Minister has never been his goal. “Why should I accept support? Becoming the Prime Minister is not the aim of my life. I am committed to my convictions and organisation, and I won’t compromise for any post,” Gadkari asserted.

Gadkari’s name had surfaced as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate during both the 2019 and 2024 general elections.

According to a survey in February 2024, he ranked third as the best-suited leader to succeed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath.

In 2019, when similar discussions emerged, Gadkari dismissed the speculation, stating, “India is in capable hands with PM Modi. I am just a worker contributing to his vision.”

Gadkari has been a Member of Parliament from Nagpur for three terms and has served as the longest-tenured Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, holding the position for over a decade. He also served as the BJP’s national president from 2009 to 2013.