Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed strong confidence on Thursday about the Bharatiya Janata Party's prospects in the ongoing Maharashtra civic polls. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur after casting his vote with family members, Gadkari emphasized that the BJP is seeking votes based on its extensive development work over the past decade.
Development Record as Key Campaign Theme
Gadkari stated clearly that the BJP has presented voters with a consistent narrative focused entirely on performance. He pointed to visible development in Nagpur and across Maharashtra under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
"We fought this election on our work during the last fifteen years of our tenure in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation," Gadkari told reporters. "Development in Nagpur and across Maharashtra under the Modi government and the Fadnavis government is visible to everyone. We are confident of winning by a record margin."
Vision for Nagpur's Future
The Union Minister reiterated the BJP's commitment to transforming Nagpur into India's most beautiful, clean and pollution-free city. He emphasized that whenever the party made promises to citizens, it delivered on those commitments.
"Whenever we made promises, we delivered," Gadkari asserted. "Once elected, the real picture of governance becomes clear to everyone."
Addressing Electoral Concerns
Gadkari also commented on several important electoral matters during his interaction with media persons. He endorsed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's view about removing the None of the Above (NOTA) option from electronic voting machines.
"People may vote for any party, but exercising the franchise is a must," Gadkari stressed, emphasizing every citizen's responsibility to participate in the democratic process.
Voter List Irregularities
The minister raised concerns about persistent discrepancies in electoral rolls despite annual revisions. He revealed that even members of his own family faced issues with polling station allocations.
"Most members from my family voted at one centre, while one had to vote at another," Gadkari shared. "The Election Commission must ensure that no one is deprived of voting due to such administrative issues."
Confidence in Public Mandate
Gadkari expressed firm belief that voters recognize the BJP's work in Nagpur over the past fifteen years. He said the outcome of the civic polls would reflect public approval of sustained development and stable governance under his party's leadership.
The minister concluded by stating that the BJP's performance-based campaign would result in a decisive victory, with voters rewarding the party for its tangible development achievements across Maharashtra.
