CNN-IBN: Mr Gadkari, now that the RSS has come out so strongly against the Shiv Sena's anti north Indian stance, will you rethink your alliance with the Shiv Sena?
Nitin Gadkari: As far as BJP is concerned what my feeling is Shiv Sena is an independent political party and by which they have the right to express their views about India, whatever the issues may be. There are a lot of political parties in NDA and there is no unanimity on every issue. So as far as the Shiv Sena comments it is the comment as a political party.
CNN-IBN: Sir, but isn’t the stand taken by the Shiv Sena against the very idea of India, and doesn’t it compromise your own claim as a national party?
Nitin Gadkari: Already I have cleared my stand that article 19 (1)(E) of the constitution- the right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India, there is no problem in it. And as far as BJP and former jan sangh from that time we have a consistently, clear approach about article 370.
CNN-IBN: You are not answering my question. Does the BJP as a national party see the stand taken by the Sena against the likes of a Mukesh Ambani, a Sachin Tendulkar, a Sha Rukh Khan, against anyone who speaks for an inclusive India, to be in the interest of the nation?
Nitin Gadkari: Already I have clear my approach and my comments about it. It is more than sufficient for me that it clearly indicates the stand of my party.
CNN-IBN: Sir, but by continuing to ally with the Sena, aren’t you losing out a large chunk of the north Indian voter? Your alliance with the Sena in Maharashtra could see you lose out in states like Bihar, which are going to elections in the next 24 hours.
Nitin Gadkari: Why we are losing? We have a very clear stand. We have accepted this article 19 (1)(E) of the constitution and that already indicates our stand about the all disputed matters which we are discussing in the media. So now I feel it is more than sufficient for us.
CNN-IBN: But don't you think you should speak to the Thackerays and explain to them how their anti-north Indian stand is anti-constitutional?
Nitin Gadkari: When the time will come to give the advice, I will give personally.
CNN-IBN: But Mr Gadkari, by not taking a firm stand now, aren’t you losing out nationally? You are only ending up dividing this country.
Nitin Gadkari: Our stand is very clear, in NDA we have lot of parties with difference of opinion on very different subjects. And already I have indicated the stand about it. I feel it is more than sufficient for us to clear the stand about BJP which is have already cleared.
CNN-IBN: The Shiv Sena is now calling for Shah Rukh's films to be stopped, it is threatening violence. Doesn’t this dent your image as a modern party of the 21st century by aligning with a party that is taking the law into its own hands?
Nitin Gadkari: It is the law and order problem related to the state govt. If any person belongs to any caste, creed or religion or a political party take the law, the government is the appropriate authority. They can take the stand on it and take the action against it.
CNN-IBN: Let me ask you one last time, will you break your alliance with the Shiv Sena?
Nitin Gadkari: Whatever it maybe, in NDA we have lots of political parties, they have some common minimum programme. There are some parites, they have a difference of opinion on different subjects and it is already they are going on.
CNN-IBN: So, you will accept the idea of a constituent of the NDA insisting that Mumbai must be for Maharashtrians, and not for all Indians?
Nitin Gadkari: Article 19 (1) (E) of the constitution which I explained, it clearly indicates what my stand is.
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