The first list of 195 candidates was announced by the BJP on March 2, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m. 34 central ministers were listed in it, including Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, the minister of home affairs, and Rajnath Singh, the minister of defense. The list did not include the name of Nitin Gadkari, who was a member of the BJP's top leadership. There was talk that his ticket will be canceled.
Recognizing his chance, Uddhav Thackeray extended the ticket offer to Gadkari. "Leave it, Nitin ji. Run for office on behalf of Mahavikas Aghadi. We'll see to it that you succeed." The BJP unveiled its second list on March 13; this time, Gadkari received a ticket from Nagpur for the third time.
Gadkari, saying, Was there truly an attempt to marginalize him? He also discussed the actions done by the ED-CBI and the party's participation of leaders who are accused of corruption. Go through the entire interview.
Question: Was there any uncertainty about your name when your ticket appeared in the second list this time? You used to decide tickets in the BJP.
Answer: In front of the Parliamentary Board, all state chief ministers, officials, and in-charges gather to discuss and determine ticket prices. Prior to the announcement of their candidates, the teams from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh sat.
In Maharashtra, there were numerous issues and three parties had to share the area. Our meeting ran late because of this. I was on the first list when the Maharashtra meeting was held. Contrary to popular belief, it contains nothing.
So why did Uddhav Thackeray extend the ticket offer to you?
Answer: The media discusses a wide range of topics. While some lack a basis, others do. Why would I fight with someone else's group? I work diligently for the BJP. My life's convention is my ideology, and I shall not stray from it.
Question: You mentioned that the people beat leaders who express dreams but do not follow through on them. To which leader did you refer?
To be clear, I wasn't referring to any one leader. This was a universal issue. Everyone makes promises to perform certain tasks throughout election season. That's something he forgets after the election. When a leader exhibits lofty aspirations, people support him; if those aspirations are not realized, they even beat him.
Neither the media nor anybody else frightens me. I always express things clearly. I have completed work worth Rs 50 lakh crore thus far, but I have not stolen even a single rupee. Not one contractor approached me. Sincerity has guided my work for the nation.
