Gadkari says ‘got 92% of votes in areas linked to underworld’. Then came a disclaimer

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari spoke about his political career at the IIM Nagpur Media Conclave 2026, highlighting that his success in public life is determined by credibility. He acknowledged having relationships with people from various backgrounds and acknowledged receiving significant support in areas with underworld or criminal elements.

Gadkari explained that despite receiving around 70-75 percent of the vote in well-educated regions, he garnered up to 92 percent in areas associated with criminal activity. However, he cautioned against inferring that he had close ties to such communities, emphasizing that he had built infrastructure and engaged in social work there.

Gadkari stressed the importance of educating citizens about democracy, democratic values, and fostering their commitment to it. He referred to his experiences during the Emergency of 1975 and his involvement in politics, which impacted his studies. Gadkari argued that ideological differences were not the issue, but rather ideological emptiness.

He recalled his interactions with AB Bardhan, a Communist leader, and expressed respect for him despite their ideological differences. Gadkari maintained that the biggest challenge to democracy lies not with political parties or leaders, but with the electorate itself. He stressed the need for citizens to be educated on social, economic, and educational issues and to vote beyond caste, religion, sect, and language.

However, Gadkari admitted to experimenting with caste-based politics in the past while serving as a party president, acknowledging that such strategies often created a nuisance without yielding political benefits.