I want to serve the poor: Nitin Gadkari

Nagpur, May 28 (UNI) Asserting that farmers' suicides, unemployment and hunger were the real challenges before the country, Maharashtra BJP unit president Nitin Gadkari said he wanted to serve the poor and the needy rather than aspire for top political posts.

Mr Gadkari was speaking at a function held to felicitate him on his 50th birthday at the historic Chitnis Park ground here last night.

Politics was not an end in itself, but a means of socio-economic reforms to tackle major issues like poverty and hunger, which were more important than religion and caste, he said.

Social work was, therefore, more important than politics, the former state public works minister said.

Shatrughan Sinha, film star and former Union minister, was the chief guest at the function, which was organised by an all-party committee with representation from across the political spectrum.

Mr Sinha presented a momento and a scroll of honour to Mr Gadkari and his wife Kanchan. Noted poet Ramdas Futane presided over the function.

Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna and Bihar Governor R S Gavai sent messages, congratulating Mr Gadkari on his birthday.

Among those present were members of Parliament Datta Meghe, Prakash Jadhav and Hansaraj Ahir, senior journalists Madhukar Bhave and S N Vinod, Shiv Sena leader Vinayak Raut, Mayor Devrao Umredkar and legislators Girish Gandhi, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Sagar Meghe, Devendra Fadnavis and Ashish Jaiswal.

UNI