A statement by Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitin Gadkari is gaining a lot of discussion on Monday. During a program, Nitin Gadkari said that when the work is going well, the older generation should retire. He said these things in the program ‘Advanced Vidarbha’. Obviously this matter was far-fetched and speculations were also made whether Nitin Gadkari himself would retire? Nitin Gadkari did not respond to these speculations but Devendra Fadnavis and Gadkari’s close aide Sandeep Joshi surprised everyone on Monday. 68 year old Nitin Gadkari had only talked about retirement. Only 55 years old Sandeep Joshi announced his retirement from politics.

Sandeep Joshi, who suddenly left politics, is also currently a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. He has also been the Mayor of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). He has influence in BJP also. It is also surprising that Sandeep Joshi’s announcement has come at a time when his close friend Devendra Fadnavis has gone to Davos. It is being said that Sandeep Joshi is already preparing for this. His tenure in the Legislative Council ends on 13 May 2026.

What did Sandeep Joshi say?

Sandeep Joshi has said about his decision, ‘I am aware that the party made me big. In such a situation, today I am announcing my decision with an apology to the top leadership of the party, Nitin Gadkari ji and Devendra Fadnavis ji. I will complete my tenure because the party has given me the responsibility. After May 13, I will not ask for any ticket from the party. Even if I am given a ticket, I will politely decline it.

He further said, ‘For me, politics has been a means of selfless service more than power or respect. In the present times, increasing competition for power and opportunism creates problems not only for the common voters but also for the loyal workers. Due to limited number of seats and rising expectations, no one is ready to step back and this is the bitter truth.

On the question of displeasure with the party, Sandeep Joshi said, ‘Hey hut! No resentment at all. Sandeep Joshi is a staunch worker of BJP. Even if BJP stabs him with a dagger in the back, he will accept it and do it with a smile. I told at least 20-22 city servants that you do not have to stand, you have to understand. The party has raised us, the party is our mother. Had there been any resentment, I would have posted and disappeared.

What did Gadkari say?

Addressing a press conference in Nagpur on Sunday, Nitin Gadkari had said, ‘Ashish Kale’s father is my friend. Now we should gradually retire and hand over the responsibility to the new generation. When this system starts working properly, we should also retire and do some other work.

Nitin Gadkari made this statement in the ‘Advantage Vidarbha’ program organized by the Association for Industrial Development (AID). Ashish Kale is the president of this AID and he had organized this program.