Got more votes from Nagpur's 'underworld, red-light areas', says Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said he received a higher share of votes from areas associated with criminals, the underworld and the red-light district in Nagpur than from some of the city’s highly educated localities.Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Gadkari said he maintained relationships with people across different sections of society, but stressed that this should not be interpreted as support for criminal activities.“I experiment. I have done everything in politics, good as well as bad. I have relations with everyone,” Gadkari said.Referring to voting patterns in his constituency, he said he received around 70 to 75 per cent of the votes in some highly educated areas, compared with about 92 per cent in localities associated with criminals, underworld elements and the red-light district. Gadkari attributed the support in these areas to the development and social welfare work he had undertaken there.“Don’t draw the conclusion that I have relations with them,” he said, adding that he had built roads and carried out social work in those localities.REMARK COMES DAYS AFTER ‘NEW GENERATION’ COMMENT Gadkari’s comments came days after he said he could no longer work as much as he once did and that responsibilities should now be handed over to the new generation.“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,” the 69-year-old minister said at another event in Nagpur.“A new generation has come, and the older generation is guiding them,” he added.Gadkari said he had worked continuously in public life for 30 years and experienced several ups and downs. He also said younger leaders should now be given opportunities.His remarks, which came shortly after the BJP announced a major organisational overhaul, sparked speculation in political circles. However, his office later clarified that they had not been made in a political context.GADKARI’S PAST REMARKS ON VOTERSGadkari has previously spoken about his relationship with voters and argued that elections are won by earning people’s trust rather than offering inducements.At a Maharashtra State Teachers Council function in Nagpur in July 2023, he said elections could not be won merely by putting up hoardings or hosting mutton parties.Recalling an unsuccessful electoral experiment, Gadkari said he had once distributed one kilogram of Saoji mutton to voters but still lost the election.“People often win elections by putting up posters and providing election doles. However, I do not believe in such strategies. I did an experiment once and provided one kilo of Saoji mutton to electors. But we lost the election. Voters are very smart,” he said.Gadkari said voters might accept inducements from different candidates but ultimately supported the person they believed was right for them.- EndsPublished By: Aprameya RaoPublished On: Sep 7, 2026 17:45 IST