Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday lauded Maharashtra’s political culture when leaders from various political parties shared the dais.
Gadkari was addressing a public function after releasing a book on late Congress leader Ramkrishna More. Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Ullhas Pawar were present.
More was Maharashtra’s former education minister who made English language compulsory in schools.
Gadkari said, “Though More was from the Congress party, I had good relationship with him and admire him for taking bold decisions. I am happy to release a book on him.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said that once Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mulayam Singh had asked him on why he felicitated Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi for becoming the Maharashtra chief minister. He said, “Maharashtra had great tradition. We have political differences, but we are not enemies. When I was in the Maharashtra Assembly, many Opposition party leaders were my friends.”
Gadkari appreciated former Madhya Pradeesh chief minister Digvijay Singh for his annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur. He said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will take steps to set up green corridors and sheds on the routes taken by warkaris.