Today, it is neither Right nor Left, it has become politics of opportunism: Gadkari

While stressing the importance of ideology in politics, Gadkari said, “I always held A B Bardhan, the Communist Party of India leader, in highest reverence. He was a great intellect. His unwavering commitment to his party and ideology was amazing. He never compromised on it. Despite differences and difficulties, he always stood by his party and ideology.”

While stating that degeneration is noted in all walks of life including politics, he said, “What matters is poll-based politics and winning elections.” As long as people vote on caste, community, creed and gender, we will get such leaders.

“Personally, I have never subscribed to politics based on caste or community. Instead, my whole approach has been inclusive and development,” he said.

Talking about administration he said, “Earlier, the government used to do everything. I have always advocated public private partnership.”

“I always believe that when a king is a trader, his people turn beggars,” he said. He equated the government to a ‘Vishakanya.’

“No matter which government is, if it were to undertake any work, it is bound to run in loss. Even if it is gold mines, it will become a losing entity. Whereas, through public-private partnership model, the project/ work accomplishes its stated goals, brings profits, generates employment, he said.

Citing the example of Mumbai-Pune Expressway project, which he conceptualised and executed as state PWD minister (1995-1999), Gadkari said we completed the project in record time with moderate expenditure.

He spoke about how during his tenure as a minister in Maharashtra he had rejected Reliance tender as it quoted Rs 3,600 crore for Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Instead, he said the work was conducted by government’s MSRDC at Rs 1,600 crore.

Gadkari recalled how he was applauded for his business acumen by industrial captains Dhirubhai Ambani and Ratan Tata in the past.

When MSRDC went to capital market to raise Rs 500 crore bonds, we received Rs 1,160 crore. Second time, against our expectation for Rs 650 crore, we ended up Rs 1,100 crore. At that time, Dhirubhai Ambani told me, “You have surpassed us.”