Don't solely rely on 'Modi wave': Gadkari to BJP workers

Pune, Aug 19: Cautioning BJP workers against self complacency, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has asked them not to solely depend on the "Modi wave" for victory in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra.

While stressing that the "Modi wave" in the country is a fact, Gadkari, however, asked the party activists to "go back to the people at grass root level" to win their confidence. "Be confident of the Modi wave and leadership. But do not just dream of coming to power in the state elections relying only on this factor. Work at grass root level to win the voters' confidence," the Union Transport Minister told a party rally here last night.

The minister also refuted allegations of State Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar that the Centre had cleared Metro project for Nagpur ahead of Pune for "political gains" and said Pune too will get Metro clearance along with other cities.

"The Chief Minister did not follow up on the Metro project at the central government level. The state government and Pune municipal corporation did not complete requisite formalities in respect of the project," which apparently resulted in the delay, he claimed.

PTI