'If Nawaz Sharif Can be on Doordarshan, Why Not Mohan Bhagwat?' Nitin Gadkari to NDTV

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari retaliates to criticism of the live telecast of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's speech on Doordarshan by saying if the public broadcaster can show Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif live at Jama Masjid, then why not the RSS chief? Speaking to NDTV on the campaign trail in Pune, the senior BJP leader said that those who sit in TV studios bash the RSS. On the Election Commission's notice for seemingly urging voters to accept money, clothes and other freebies as Lakshmi Darshan ahead of elections, Nitin Gadkari was combative. He said there was no question of regret as he had said nothing wrong. He also stood by his controversial remarks that journalists had been asking for varying "packages" in Maharashtra for election coverage. A key contender for the post of chief minister of Maharashtra, Nitin Gadkari said he is not interested in the job and even if offered, he will decline the post.