Test of democracy is king tolerating dissent and showing introspection: Nitin Gadkari

“We are neither right nor left. We are opportunists. Writers and intellectuals are expected to express their opinions without any fear,” he added.

Gadkari also said that as long as untouchability and notions of social inferiority and superiority persist, the work of nation building cannot be considered complete.

At a journalism award ceremony in Maharashtra’s Nagpur city, Gadkari had said that a political leader had once offered to support him if he contested for the prime minister’s post, but he had declined the offer saying he had no such ambition.

Democracy can only succeed if all four pillars – the judiciary, the executive, the legislature and the media – adhere to ethics, Gadkari added.