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NAGPUR: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that he can no longer work as much as he once did and that responsibilities should now be handed over to the new generation, remarks that triggered political speculation before his office clarified that they were not made in a political context.
Addressing an event in Nagpur, the 69-year-old Union Minister said his involvement in day-to-day work had diminished after decades in public life.
“These days, I can’t do as much work. I did it when I could. Now, my involvement has diminished. Work should be handed over to the new generation,” Gadkari said.
He added that a generational transition was natural and that the role of senior leaders was increasingly to guide younger people.
“Work should be handed over to the new generation. A new generation has come, and the older generation is guiding them,” he said.
Gadkari said he had spent around three decades in public life, during which he had witnessed several ups and downs and received numerous honours.
“I have been continuously working in public life for the last 30 years. I have seen many ups and downs and received many awards. But I can’t work much now, the new generation should be given a chance to work,” he said.
The remarks sparked discussion in political circles over whether they carried a broader message about his future role.
Gadkari, however, also spoke about development priorities ahead and said the scale of work would increase in the coming years. He said efforts would continue to ensure that no tribal village in Maharashtra remained without electricity and that development became visible across the state.
Following the speculation, Gadkari’s office clarified that the remarks were made specifically in the context of the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust, an organisation founded by him which runs Ekal Vidyalayas, or one-teacher primary schools, in tribal areas.
His office maintained that the comments should not be interpreted as referring to his political career or responsibilities in the Union Government.
The remarks came shortly after the BJP carried out a major organisational restructuring under party president Nitin Nabin, bringing in a large number of new faces and signalling a wider generational shift within the party organisation.
The reshuffle in the BJP’s national team has also fuelled speculation about possible changes in the Union Council of Ministers, though no official announcement has been made.(Agencies)
