Mumbai: Often ridiculed by his political
rivals outside and within the BJP for not being a `mass
leader`, BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said he would
contest the Lok Sabha election.
"I will contest Lok Sabha election and would like to get
elected from among the people," Gadkari told reporters at a
Diwali get-together hosted by him here.
Asked if he wanted to lead the country, Gadkari indicated
he had no prime ministerial ambitions. "Even now, I am leading
the country, as the BJP president. Beyond this, I have no
desire for any other leadership," he said.
On prime ministerial candidates in his party, Gadkari
said, "When the need arises, we will decide (the candidate) in
fraction of a second."
Asked about his weight loss, Gadkari, who underwent a
gastric bypass surgery here last month for the treatment of
type II diabetes, said he had lost 10 kg.
"But only you can tell how much political weight I have
gained," he quipped.
Gadkari stressed that all was hunky dory between him and
senior state BJP leader Gopinath Munde. "There are no
differences between us," he said.
On attacks against Team Anna Hazare members, Gadkari said
it reflected the "vindictive attitude" of Congress.
"Be it the anti-corruption campaign by Hazare or Baba
Ramdev, there is a natural reaction among the masses against
corruption and its effect would be seen in the ensuing
elections," he said.
PTI
