The Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that a strong Congress is needed for democracy. He said it is his wish that the Congress became stronger and that its leaders did not switch sides in despair.
Gadkari was speaking during a journalism award function organized by a leading newspaper.
“Democracy runs on two wheels – the ruling party and the opposition,” Gadkari said.
He also added that “A democracy needs a strong opposition. So, I sincerely hope that the Congress becomes stronger.”
Gadkari said with the weakening of the Congress, its place has been taken by regional parties, which was not good for the Indian democracy.
“Those who follow Congress ideology should remain in the party and have faith in its ideals. In 1978-80, I had joined the BJP and had come to Pune to participate in the party convention. When I got off at the railway station, carrying the publicity material on my shoulders, I bumped into Shrikant Jichkar who suggested to me that I should enter a good party which will give me a future. I told him that I will jump into a well and end my life but won’t abandon my ideology. At that time, BJP had only two MPs in Lok Sabha. But times changed with the efforts of party workers, and we got a Prime Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee. So one should not abandon one’s ideology in moments of despair,” he added.
“I wish with all my heart that the Congress remains strong. Those who follow the Congress ideology should remain in the party and stick to their convictions. They must continue to work and not despair over defeat. If there is defeat, one day there is victory too,” Gadkari said.
