Nitin Gadkari: Underworld votes more than educated in Nagpur

Last Updated:September 09, 2026, 09:39 IST

Nitin Gadkari reveals surprising vote share from Nagpur’s “underworld” areas, discusses educated voters’ turnout, and challenges facing democracy

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari (File image)

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said Saturday that he received a larger share of votes from areas associated with criminals, the underworld, and red-light districts in Maharashtra’s Nagpur than from some of the city’s highly educated regions.

Gadkari, an MP from Nagpur, also clarified that the support from the underworld and criminal areas does not imply that he has “close relations” with them, India Today reported.

Speaking at the inaugural IIM Nagpur Media Conclave 2026, the minister said that his vote share from these areas was as high as 92 per cent. “I’m very ideological, but 99 per cent of Nagpur’s underworld and social world are my supporters. But, do not infer from this that I have very close relations with them. I have built roads there and done social work”.

Gadkari, 69, maintained that he has relationship with people across the spectrum.

“I have done everything in politics. I have done good things and bad things, and I have relationships with people across the spectrum”, he said.

Gadkari On Educated People’s Voting Behaviour

Nitin Gadkari reflected on the voting behaviour of educated people. He said while they discuss politics, they fail to turn up to vote.

“You say, ‘I will come now, I will come later,’ and then 5 pm comes and you don’t come to vote. And then you ask, ‘What will happen to this country?’” he said.

The minister stressed that democracy faces a bigger challenge from the electorate, not from political parties or leaders.

“The biggest problem of democracy is not political parties and leaders. It is the people. So, commitment to democracy is important,” Gadkari said, according to India Today.

He stressed that citizens should make informed voting choices driven by  social, economic and educational issues rather than caste, religion, sect and language. However, he acknowledged that he also experimented with caste-based politics earlier in his political career.

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What did Nitin Gadkari say about his vote share from Nagpur’s underworld and red-light areas?

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that he received a higher percentage of votes, specifically around 92% to 99%, from areas in Nagpur associated with criminals, the underworld, and red-light districts, compared to more educated regions. He clarified that this support was due to his work in building roads and social initiatives in those areas, not close personal relations.

What was Nitin Gadkari’s observation on the voting behavior of educated people?

Nitin Gadkari observed that while educated people discuss politics, they often fail to turn up to vote. He highlighted this as a significant challenge for democracy, emphasizing the importance of citizens making informed voting choices based on social, economic, and educational issues.

When and where did Nitin Gadkari make these statements about his vote share?

Nitin Gadkari made these statements on a Saturday at the inaugural IIM Nagpur Media Conclave in 2026. He also reiterated similar points at an event in Nagpur on Sunday.

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Meemansa ShekhawatSub-editor

A Journalism graduate, Meemansa Shekhawat is a sub-editor at News18. Driven by a keen interest in news, she is a passionate writer with specialisation in national and international affairs. You can re…Read More

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