Gadkari hails Nehru, feels strong Congress necessary for democracy

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari seems to have gone against the grain of his party BJP by saying that a strong Congress is necessary for democracy, and also hailing India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of the grand old party.

It has been a sort of strict practice by BJP leaders, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to criticise Congress and Nehru for all the ills of the country, since the party was in rule for over 60 years in the country since Independence in 1947.

At an awards function on Saturday, Gadkari seems to have defied the norm. “Democracy runs on two wheels – the ruling dispensation and the Opposition. A strong Opposition is a need for democracy. Hence it is my sincere wish that the Congress party should become stronger,” he said, according to the Indian Express.

He also said: “Jawaharlal Nehru is an example. When Atal Bihari Vajpayee lost the Lok Sabha election, Jawaharlal Nehru still gave him respect. So, in a democracy, the opposition’s role is very important.”

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Stating that regional parties taking Congress’ space was not good for the democracy and asking Congress leaders not to lose hope, the BJP leader said: “I wish with all my heart that the Congress remains strong. Those who follow the Congress ideology should remain in the party and stick to their convictions. They must continue to work and not despair over defeat. If there is defeat, one day there is victory too.”

Gadkari’s statement comes in the wake of the Congress’s rout in the recently concluded five state assembly elections, including Punjab where it was in power and lost to Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP.