Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday issued a word of caution to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), urging it not to repeat the mistakes of the Congress, which led to their downfall. Nitin Gadkari emphasized the BJP’s unique identity as a party that consistently earns voters’ trust, echoing party veteran LK Advani’s remark that “BJP is a party with a difference.”
Addressing a top-level party meeting in Goa, Nitin Gadkari said, “If we continue doing what the Congress used to do, then there is no use of their exit and our entry.” These comments came over a month after the BJP failed to secure a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha elections.
The meeting, attended by the party’s state unit president Sadanand Tanavade and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, saw Nitin Gadkari invoking his mentor and former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani’s statement about the BJP’s distinctiveness. “Advani Ji used to say that we are a party with a difference. We have to understand how different we are from other parties,” Nitin Gadkari noted, adding that the BJP was elected because of the Congress’ mistakes.
Nitin Gadkari stressed that if the BJP commits the same mistakes, there would be no point in the Congress’ ouster and the BJP’s rise. He emphasized that party cadres should recognize politics as a tool for social and economic reforms.
Additionally, Nitin Gadkari called for a comprehensive plan for the party to work towards creating a “corruption-free country.” He also argued against caste-based politics, particularly in reference to neighboring Maharashtra. “I have decided not to follow this trend. I have told people that I will not indulge in caste-based politics (jaat-paat). Jo karega jaat ki baat, usko padegi kaske laath (those who will speak about caste will get a strong kick),” he asserted.
Nitin Gadkari’s remarks serve as a critical reminder for the BJP to remain true to its principles and avoid the pitfalls that led to the Congress’ decline.
