- Nitin Gadkari's office clarified his remarks were about the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust, not politics
- He stated the younger generation should take more responsibility in running the Trust
- Gadkari reflected on his long public career and the need to reduce his workload
It has nothing to do with politics and has been taken out of context, Nitin Gadkari's office clarified on Tuesday, shortly after the minister's remark that younger generation should be given more responsibility as "he could no longer take on as much work as before".
The minister's office stated that he was speaking specifically about the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust and the comments were made in that context.
"Nitin Gadkariji's statement had nothing to do with politics. He was speaking specifically about the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust, an organisation established by him that runs Ekal Vidyalayas in tribal areas. In that context, Gadkari said that he could no longer take on as much work as before and that the younger generation should be given an opportunity to take greater responsibility," the statement from the minister's office said.
"His remarks were clearly related to the functioning and future leadership of the Trust. However, some television channels are presenting the statement as a political remark, taking it out of its actual context," the statement underlined.
Speaking at the event in Nagpur on Sunday, Gadkari spotlighted that he has been in active public life for over three decades.
During this time, he said he experienced many ups and downs, fulfilled various responsibilities, and received many honours, adding it is no longer possible to work as hard as before. He then pitched that the new generation should step forward and get an opportunity to work.
The 69-year-old minister also mentioned the changes in his lifestyle on this occasion.
He said that during the early days of politics, while working for the party, he had the habit of working under any circumstances.
He ate whatever was available while traveling, living very simply, and working for the organisation regardless of time. However, Gadkari stated that he has brought discipline to his lifestyle after the Covid period.
He noted that he now practices yoga regularly. He conveyed the message that health is more important than position, power, or prestige in political and public life.
By putting forward the stance that "what is the use of power and position if health is not good?" he emphasised the need for individuals in public life to pay attention to their health.
