Union minister for surface transport, highways and shipping Nitin Gadkari on Thursday extended his wishes to his former fellow parliamentarian Nana Patole, who will be contesting against him in the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Nagpur seat.
Gadkari further said he never keeps enmity with political rivals. At one time Patole had Gadkari’s blessings when he was in the BJP. When asked whether he would continue to bless Patole, Gadkari said if one leaves the party, it does not mean blessings will go away. I have never kept such ‘dushmani’ (enmity) in politics. My best wishes to him.
Each candidate has the right to contest election and choose constituency as per his preference, he added while refusing to comment or criticise Patole.
The senior BJP leader said he will go to people with the work he has done in the last five years.
Nana Patole was among the five Congress candidates from Maharashtra finalised to contest Lok Sabha polls on Wednesday.
Patole, who earlier won the Bhandara-Gondiya parliamentary seat in Maharashtra, quit the BJP last year over differences with party leadership on agrarian issues.
Elections to 48 LS seats in Maharashtra will be held in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.
