Nitin Gadkari clears air around Opposition's PM offer: Not my ambition

Nitin Gadkari dismissed ambitions of holding the Prime Minister post, asserting his commitment to current duties and reaffirming loyalty to the BJP amid speculation of opposition offers.

In Short

• Nitin Gadkari said he received offers before and after Lok Sabha polls
• Asserted he isn't in race to replace PM Modi, happy with current role
• Survey ranked Nitin Gadkari third as potential PM candidate

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari on Thursday cleared the air around reports of him being offered the Prime Minister's post by an opposition party and said that he does not harbour such ambitions.

"When I was offered (the Prime Minister post by an opposition party), I asked them why you want me to be the Prime Minister and why shouldn't I be with the Prime Minister (Modi). So, becoming Prime Minister is not my ambition," Nitin Gadkari said while speaking at India Today Conclave.

The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways also revealed that he was given an offer to become the Opposition's PM face before and even after the Lok Sabha elections.

"I got offers before and after elections (Lok Sabha) as well," he said.

When asked about being PM Modi's replacement if and when he opts to retire from active politics, Nitin Gadkari said that he is not in the race and is happy where he is currently.

"I am not in any race, nor have I given my biodata to anyone. I keep doing my work. I am happy where I am. Go and ask PM Modi or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) about these things," the senior BJP leader said.

Speaking about his role in the BJP, Nitish Gadkari said, "I am a worker of the party and a member of RSS. I won't bother even if I do not become a minister. I always feel that politics is the instrument of socioeconomic reform. I will keep doing my work and won't worry about anything".

Nitin Gadkari's name emerged in discussion as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate during both the 2024 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

A survey by India Today, titled the Mood of the Nation and conducted in February this year, revealed that Gadkari is viewed as the third most suitable leader to succeed Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. He trails only Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.