At times I feel like quitting politics: Union minister Nitin Gadkari

Nagpur: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed his "fleeting wishes at time" about quitting politics in the backdrop of current brand of politics at play in the country which is only aimed at attaining power for oneself.

Gadkari was speaking at an event on Saturday in Maharashtra's Nagpur organized to felicitate social worker Girish Gandhi for who turned 75.

The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways said he sometimes feels like quitting politics because there are many other things which needs to be done for the society as that is what politics meant in the times when Mahatma Gandhi was in it.

"I feel like quitting politics . Apart from politics, there are many things in life which are worth doing,” Gadkari said.

He said he "hates" it when people bring huge bouquets for him or put his posters.

"Politics nowadays has become more about staying in power rather than being an instrument for social change and development," said Gadkari just days after BJP was able to return to power in Maharashtra after a rival camp from Shiv Sena headed by now Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stitched alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party and brought down the MVA government led by Uddhav Thackeray.

"We must understand what the word politics means. Is it for the welfare of the society, country or about being in government?" said the minister.

When we look at politics in Mahatma Gandhi’s era, it was a part of the social movement but now it is focused on remaining in power apart from nation building and developmental goals, the Lok Sabha member from Nagpur said in Marathi.

"Today what is being witnessed in politics is just about coming to power.

"Politics is a true instrument of socio-economic reform and that’s why today’s politicians must work for the development of education, arts and so on in the society. However, today what we are seeing is only about 100 per cent coming to power," he added.

"In the present era, when the word politics has lost its meaning, value and importance, Dr Girish Gandhi is following the true definition of politics and working hard for awakening social consciousness," said Gadkari. (UNI)