Nagpur | 25 Aug 2026
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari’s younger generation remark was related to the future leadership of a social organisation and had no political context, his office clarified on Tuesday after the comments triggered speculation about his political future.
Gadkari had spoken about reducing his involvement and giving younger people greater responsibility while discussing the work of the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust, which runs Ekal Vidyalayas in tribal areas. His office said reports interpreting the remarks as a signal about retirement from politics had taken them out of context.
Official Clarification
Gadkari’s office said the Union minister was speaking specifically about the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust and its future leadership when he referred to doing less work and creating opportunities for younger people.
Office Response
Gadkari’s Office Rejects Political Interpretation
“His remarks were clearly related to the functioning and future leadership of the Trust.”
— Office of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
The clarification said some television channels had presented the statement as a political remark despite the context being the functioning of the trust.
Nitin Gadkari Younger Generation Remark
Gadkari made the comments while addressing a gathering connected with the Eklavya Ekal Vidyalaya programme at Katol in Nagpur district. He reflected on the trust’s work in tribal areas and argued that younger members should progressively assume greater responsibility.
He said his own participation in the organisation’s work had reduced and that senior members could guide the new generation as it carried the initiatives forward.
Gadkari on Younger Leadership
Minister Calls for Generational Transition
“I have told everyone that now the work should be put into the hands of the new generation.”
— Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways
Gadkari also said senior members were guiding newer participants and expressed the hope that the trust’s activities would expand further across tribal areas of Maharashtra.
Laxmanrao Mankar Trust and Its Work
The Laxmanrao Mankar Trust was established by Gadkari and is involved in running Ekal Vidyalayas in tribal areas. The minister’s remarks were made while discussing the organisation’s social initiatives rather than a transition in his government or political responsibilities, according to his office.
During his address, Gadkari encouraged those associated with the programme to develop their abilities and devote time to society and disadvantaged communities. He described the expansion of such social work as a responsibility that should continue through the next generation.
What Happens Next
There has been no announcement from Gadkari that he intends to retire from politics or leave his ministerial responsibilities. The latest confirmed position from his office is that the remarks concerned the trust and should not be interpreted as a statement about his political future.
The clarification therefore places the focus on a generational transition within the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust’s social initiatives, rather than any confirmed change in Gadkari’s role in the Union government or active politics.
