india

Updated: Mar 12, 2019 01:15 IST

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has added a clarificatory note to his “family first” comment. In an interview on Sunday, the senior BJP leader explained that his advice to party workers not to ignore their responsibility towards their family to let them be honest.

“My sons take care of it [the business] and they are handling it in a very professional way... Had that not been the case, then I would have needed a sponsor who would ultimately exert pressure on me in the political arena,” the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said during an interview session organised by the Chitnis Centre in Nagpur.

The minister, who is expected to contest from Nagpur seat as the BJP nominee, said: “That’s why I say to everyone, first take care of your family and then join politics”.

The senior BJP leader holds the portfolios of road transport and highways; shipping; and water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation ministries.

The remark comes a month after the senior BJP leader, who owns power and sugar companies, had advised young political activists to focus on their family first.

“I meet many people who say we want to devote our lives for the BJP, for the country. I asked (one such person) what do you do, and who all are there in your family. He said I have closed my shop as it was not doing well....there is wife at home, children,” Gadkari said on February 4 at an ABVP event.

At the interview, Gadkari also talked about his meeting with Rajinikanth.

The minister said he had visited the superstar in Chennai and told him that it’s best that he stays away from politics. And also because the actor-turned-politician is an absolutely down to earth person, he said.

“I strongly feel that one should focus on one’s strengths,” he further added.

Rajinikanth’s stand on certain issues had led to speculation that he might extend support to the BJP in 2019. After meeting 32 district secretaries of the Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM), he had said on February 17 that this social outfit, seen as the launch vehicle for the political party, will not contest the Lok Sabha election 2019.