Gadkari says differences in opinion, ideology have never affected his friendships
Nagpur (PTI): In politics, one should have a large heart and behave well with all opponents despite there being differences in opinion, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Friday.
He was speaking at the 'amrut mahotsav' felicitation programme of Suresh (Babu) Agrawal, whom the minister described as a friend from college days and a follower of the socialist ideology of Ram Manohar Lohia.
The minister said he never had any difference with Agrawal despite the latter being a socialist, and, thus, follower of a different ideology.
"Despite having differences of opinion, relationships are good, strong and lasting. This is the speciality of Indian democracy. In politics also, one should have a big heart and behave well with opponents," Gadkari said while recalling that his friendship with people does not undergo strain due to difference in opinions or political ideologies.
Gadkari hailed former defence minister George Fernandes for his work and simplicity, while recounting that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a communist, visits him out of courtesy whenever he comes to Delhi.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
