Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said in Nagpur that in his election, more votes were received from crime-hit, underworld and red light areas than from educated areas. He claimed that support there reached 92 percent, but denied endorsing the activities.
New Delhi: A statement given by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur is in discussion. Referring to his electoral experience, he said that he got more votes from crime-infested, underworld and red light areas than from educated and prosperous areas. However, he clarified that this does not imply endorsement of these activities.
Gadkari shared election experience in Nagpur program
During an event organized in Nagpur, Gadkari mentioned the voting figures related to his elections. He said he got about 70 to 75 percent of the votes in the larger and more educated areas of the city, while his support in the crime, underworld and red light areas, according to him, had reached about 92 percent.
After Gadkari's comment came to light, its video became widely discussed on social media. Different reactions are emerging in political and social circles regarding the statement. However, during his statement, Gadkari tried to make it clear that his statement should not be seen as support for any criminal activity.
'This does not mean that I support his work'
Gadkari said that having contact with the people of an area or getting electoral support from there does not mean that he supports the criminal or illegal activities present there.
He also said in his statement that he has relations with people from different sections of society, but this should not be taken in a wrong sense. According to him, as a public representative, communicating with people from different social groups and regions is part of politics.
Gadkari also mentioned road construction and social work in this context. He said that the people of the areas where development work was done supported him on the basis of those works.
'99 percent people in Nagpur are my supporters'
In the program, Gadkari also said in a light-hearted manner that about 99 percent of the people associated with the underworld and social sector in Nagpur are his supporters. However, he immediately clarified that this comment does not mean that he supports the activities or work of those people.
His emphasis was that trust and communication between people is important in a democracy. Getting support from people of any area in elections cannot in itself be considered as acceptance of their criminal or anti-social behaviour.
In his address, Gadkari also described awareness of democratic values and public participation as important. He said that to strengthen democracy, awareness among people about democratic values and responsibilities is necessary.
Gadkari said education and public awareness are important
In his address, the Union Minister also emphasized on public education and democratic awareness. He said that it is not enough for people to be educated, but awareness about the democratic system and its values is also necessary.
According to him, people's commitment and understanding of democratic values play an important role in democracy. He linked increasing awareness among the public to the strengthening of the political system.
This part of Gadkari was the second aspect of his statement in which he mentioned the electoral support received from different areas. He tried to indicate that voters' decisions in elections are not based only on their social or economic class.
'Credibility wins in politics'
In his address, Gadkari also stressed the importance of credibility in politics. He said that ultimately credibility wins.
He did not limit this idea only to politics. Gadkari said that whether it is business, politics, consumer products or industrial products, people's trust and credibility is important in every field.
According to him, the credibility of an individual or organization among the public becomes the most important asset in the long run. In this context, he also gave the example of his electoral support.
Discussion intensified on social media after the statement
After the video of Gadkari's statement surfaced, the discussion regarding it intensified on social media. His claim of getting 70-75 percent votes from educated areas and 92 percent from crime-affected and red light areas especially attracted people's attention.
However, available reports present these figures as election figures stated by Gadkari at the event. These percentages have not been separately confirmed in reports by independent election data. Therefore, these figures should be seen as Gadkari's claims only.
Gadkari has been in the news earlier also for his statements
Nitin Gadkari has been in the news earlier also because of his frank and direct statements. His speeches often contain clear comments on issues related to politics, development, administration and public service.
The recent statement has also come out in this sequence. However, this time the center of discussion is the claim related to his electoral support and his mention of getting more votes from crime affected and red light areas.
Gadkari made it clear repeatedly in his statement that getting electoral support from a person or region does not mean endorsing his work or activities. He explained his support by linking it to development work and social interaction.
Said the reason for supporting development works
Gadkari said that he has done road construction and social work in different areas. According to him, such actions affected his acceptance among the people.
He argued that voters also evaluate a leader on the basis of his work and credibility. Therefore, it may be natural to get support from the people in the areas where development work has taken place.
He also said that dialogue among people and commitment to democratic values is important in a democracy. A large part of his speech focused on the idea that public trust plays a decisive role in politics.
The statement again raised the issue of political debate
Gadkari's comments have come at a time when public discussion continues to be intense about the election statements of leaders and their social impact. The words like 'underworld', 'criminal' and 'red light area' used in his statement made it more attention-grabbing.
However, Gadkari in his statement clearly distanced himself from any support for these groups or activities. He made development work, social interaction, democratic awareness and political credibility the basis of his argument.
At present his statement is viral on social media and discussion about it is going on at the political and social level. The most important part of Gadkari's statement is his clarification that electoral support and support for an individual's activities should not be equated.