Nagpur: The media has been abuzz with reports about Nitin Gadkari stepping down from politics.
The speculation was triggered by Gadkari’s comments at a recent event in Nagpur district’s Katol, organised by the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust which runs Ekal Vidyalayas in tribal areas.
Looking back at his three decades in public life and post-COVID health changes, Gadkari said that he was “no longer able to work as much as he used to”, and suggested that “opportunities should be given to the younger generation.”
The Union Minister’s remarks were interpreted by several media outlets and social media users as a hint that he was preparing to retire from active politics or step down from the Union Cabinet ahead of a possible Cabinet reshuffle.
On Saturday, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways addressed speculation about his possible retirement, calling the media reports “false” and clarifying that his comments were taken out of context.
“As I have grown older, I say ‘now call the young people’ (to take part in such initiatives). But, you publish false news that Gadkari is going to retire,” Gadkari said on the sidelines of the announcement for the 17th Agrovision agricultural exhibition, taking a dig at the media.
Gadkari explained that when he talked about bringing in younger people, he was referring to the “generation-to-generation transfer of knowledge” needed to sustain long-term social and agricultural initiatives.
He emphasised that providing guidance to youth is a continuous effort, and told reporters that just as previous generations passed the baton to them, “you will keep working, and I will keep working”.
He added, “This is your generation, the generation before you was that of the earlier journalists. You will keep doing your work, and I will keep doing mine.”