Union minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari made a stunning revelation while addressing ‘Anil Kumar Journalism Awards’ in Nagpur on Saturday. While asking journalists to maintain a high level of conviction and pass on the commitment to future generations, he gave a personal example to re-establish his loyalty to his convictions and the party. He revealed that the Opposition had offered him support for the prime minister’s post ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Gadkari said a senior Opposition leader had made an offer, but he declined, and questioned the leader why should the Opposition support him, and why should he accept it.

Gadkari is known for speaking in a lighter vein, but this revelation needs to be taken on a serious note because his name has been in circulation for the PM post whenever political pundits foresaw a possibility of the BJP having a coalition government. The 2019 elections proved both experts and the Opposition wrong when the BJP surpassed its 2014 numbers. Five years later in 2024, the party showed a decline, affirming predictions that it would need partners to run the third consecutive term. Gadkari’s name had popped up again. When asked whether he was in the race, he said he was not interested in the top post. He reiterated it on Saturday but left many questions unanswered.