New Delhi (Agency): In a thinly veiled commentary on the prevailing political dynamics in Maharashtra, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari light-heartedly remarked on Friday that aspirants to ministerial posts find themselves in a ‘crowded’ situation, unsure of how to proceed with their neatly stitched suits intended for the swearing-in ceremony. His remarks, which left the audience in splits, were made at an event organized by the Nagpur Vidyapeeth Shikshan Manch.
Gadkari, a senior BJP leader, made reference to Bhutan’s prime minister’s proposition of a “domestic happy human index,” pointing out that a majority of people never truly attain happiness. “If a person accepts that I have received more than what I deserved then that person can be happy and contented,” he noted, asserting his belief in the practice of gratitude and contentment.
Gadkari elaborated on this idea by drawing parallels to political ambitions. He expressed that corporators often lament their failure to become MLAs, while MLAs are frustrated about not being able to ascend to ministerial positions. Even ministers, according to Gadkari, nurse discontentment over not landing desirable portfolios.
Taking a jovial swipe at the ministerial hopefuls, he said, “…and now those who were going to become (ministers) are unhappy, thinking whether their turn would ever come, so much crowded it has become.” Gadkari’s jesting commentary painted a picture of ready-made suits, hanging idly in closets, much to the amusement of the audience.
Gadkari also drew an analogy between the program’s venue and the ministry’s size. While the hall, with a capacity of 2200, could hold many people, the size of a ministry remains unchangeable, a clear reference to the political constraints.
The Union Minister’s remarks follow the recent development where a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Ajit Pawar joined the Maharashtra government on July 2. Opposition leaders have since alleged that this move has caused unrest among Shiv Sena’s MLAs, headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and its BJP allies, as their ministerial ambitions were scuttled.