During the India Today Conclave, Rajdeep Sardesai and Nitin Gadkari, India’s Minister of Transport and Highways, exchanged intensely. The discussion centered on allegations of a conspiracy within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to undermine Gadkari’s position and rumours that someone within the party tried to defeat him in Nagpur.
Sardesai questioned Gadkari, stating, “There was a conspiracy within the BJP to defeat Nitin Gadkari. Is this right or wrong?” To which Gadkari firmly responded, “It is fully wrong.” Sardesai further pressed, “Your name was not even on the first list. You had to go meet Modiji at Nagpur airport and sort out the issue.”
Gadkari, visibly laughing, shot back, “I feel pity when I see you. Whenever the PM comes to my state, as per protocol, I meet him. Who told you? Did the PM himself say that I met him and asked when he would give me a ticket? What proof do you have?”
In response to Sardesai’s admission of not having any proof, Gadkari emphasized, “Please talk responsibly. There is nothing like that. The Maharashtra list was not even put out. The Maharashtra Parliamentary Board lists out its recommendations and sends them to Delhi. When the Maharashtra list was not even released, the list came from other places, so no name from Maharashtra came, and when my name came, it got noticed.”
Kitni beijjati karwaoge @SardesaiRajdeep? pic.twitter.com/77Gpx51bo5
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) September 26, 2024
Continuing the conversation, Rajdeep says, “There is a buzz among the public that Nitin Gadkari is upset. You do not want to get involved in this Maharashtra election. You are happy living in Delhi, and do not want to get involved in the nitty-gritty of Maharashtra and the reason is you believe that someone in your party tried to defeat you in Nagpur. Today you must tell us the truth. Do you believe that someone tried to defeat you in Nagpur?”
Gadkari replies, “Truth is that you are 101% lying. This is the first truth. Yes, I am talking with responsibility. Whatever you are saying is lies. Listen to me fully. When you ask me, just listen. I was in J&K on official Bharatiya Janata party tour just day before yesterday. Yesterday I was in Haryana and this morning I was in Bengaluru for a programme. When I was in party programme, I had 4 sessions in J&K, so I cannot be in Nagpur. I told this to the State President, even after the Party President clarifying it, why are seasoned journalists asking me such questions and thus, whatever you said is fully wrong, it is lies, and I am not upset with anyone.”
Round 2 of Rajdeep's Dhulai
Gadkari- "Tum 101% jhooth ho" pic.twitter.com/dtkN8LLLVm
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) September 26, 2024
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