Nitin Gadkari For Nagpur: ‘The Highway Man' For A Hattrick Win (image:twitter.com/OfficeOfNG)Road Transport and Highways Minister and veteran BJP leader Nitin Gadkari will be aiming for a hattrick win from Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra. Popularly known as the ‘the highway man of India’, Nitin Gadkari’s contribution to the advancement of infrastructure projects including metro rail, flyovers, and highways has received much appreciation.
Nitin Jairam Gadkari began his political journey with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Hindu nationalist organisation and ideological parent of the BJP. Following, he associated with the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP. Nitin Gadakari has also served as the state president of the BJP in Maharashtra twice. As Cabinet Minister of the Public Works Department in the Manohar Joshi government (1995–1999), he played a huge role in accelerating the construction of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. Besides, BJP leader has handled the role of leader of opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council.
In 2009, Nitin Gadkari assumed the role of national chief of the BJP and became an indispensable part of the national political scenario. He is one of the longest-serving ministers of the PM Modi-led BJP government, since took office as Road Transport Minister in 2014.
Nagpur, Maharashtra’s second capital, was once a stronghold of Congress. Aside from Banwarilal Purohit’s victory in 1996, the saffron party failed to make progress in the constituency. Stated Nagpur seat as ‘zero-luck’ for the BJP, got a sudden lease of life in Modi’s wave in 2014 General ELections. When Nitin Gadkari contested from Nagpur constituency for the first time in 2014, he emerged winner by defeating Congress nominee Vilas Muttemwar. Similarly, in the 2019 elections, he retained the seat by defeating Congress rival Nana Falgunrao Patole by a margin of 2,84,848 votes.
Currenlty, Nitin Gadkari is conducting massive road shows in Nagpur and is receiving a warm welcome. As the BJP hopes for a comfortable win, Congress thinks that by fielding former Nagpur mayor Vikas Thakre, they will be able to trounce Minister. Thakre manages strong local connection.