Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said a political leader once offered to support him if he were to enter the race for the Prime Minister's post, but he declined the offer stating that he did not nurse that ambition.
"I remember one incident -- I would not name anyone -- that person said if you are going to become prime minister, we will support you," Gadkari said at a journalism awards function here, without specifying when the conversation took place.
"But, I asked why you should support me, and why should I take your support. To become the prime minister is not the aim in my life. I am loyal to my conviction and my organisation, and I am not going to compromise for any post because my conviction is foremost for me," the senior BJP leader added.
In his speech, Nitin Gadkari underlined the importance of ethics in both journalism and politics.
Recalling a meeting with a senior CPI functionary, Nitin Gadkari said he told the communist leader that late A B Bardhan was among the tallest politicians from Nagpur and Vidarbha.
When the leader expressed surprise saying that Bardhan was an opponent of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Nitin Gadkari said honest opposition should be respected.
"I said one should respect a person who opposes with honesty, because there is honesty in his opposition....one who opposes with dishonesty deserves no respect," said Nitin Gadkari.
Comrade Bardhan was faithful to his ideology, and politics as well as journalism now lack such people, he said.
Democracy will be successful only when all four pillars -- judiciary, executive, legislature and media -- follow ethics, the BJP leader further said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"We Should Aspire For World Peace, Lord Buddha Can Inspire Us": Nitin Gadkari "Will Make National Highway Of Bihar Like That Of US In 4 Years": Nitin Gadkari "Signifies Unity...": Nitin Gadkari On 'Batenge Toh Katenge' Amid Polls Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest Indian Student In US Accidentally Shoots Himself Dead While Celebrating Birthday Navy Submarine Collides With Fishing Boat Off Goa, 2 Fishermen Missing Skope Kitchens Unveils India's First Managed Kitchen-As-A-Service Platform Netanyahu Says World Court Warrant Won't Stop Israel Defending Itself BMW 3-Series, X1, X7, 5-Series And Others To Get Expensive By January 1 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.