Gadkari’s office clarifies on his ‘generational shift’ remark

The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, clarified his recent remark about a "generational shift," stating that it had no political undertones and was taken out of context. The 69-year-old minister made the remarks at an event in Nagpur on Sunday, reflecting on 30 years of public service. He said, "I have seen many ups and downs, received honours, and fulfilled various responsibilities.

But I cannot work as hard as I used to. Work must be handed over to the new generation, while the older generation acts as a guiding hand."

The comments emerged amid rumors of an upcoming reshuffle in the Union Cabinet. Gadkari, currently in his third consecutive term as Transport Minister, has also faced criticism over the government's ethanol-blended petrol policies. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued an official clarification, stating that Gadkari's words were taken out of context by some media outlets and had nothing to do with politics.

The clarification explained that he was speaking specifically about the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust, an organization he established that operates schools in tribal regions.

Gadkari's remarks were in the context of a change-of-guard ceremony for the trust, with a new team taking over led by incoming president Atul Shirodkar. His office emphasized that his statements were directly related to the functioning and future leadership of the Trust.