Known for his candidness, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari puts his foot in mouth once again by saying that the BJP-led Maharashtra Government had disproved the apprehension that, even a eunuch, if is married, could beget a child, but a local irrigation project would never be completed.
Speaking at a farmers’ rally at Sangli in western Maharashtra, Gadkari said “We had an apprehension that even a eunuch, if is married, can beget a child, but irrigation projects in Maharashtra would never be completed. But, our Government has disproved our apprehension and completed the long-pending Tembu irrigation project in Sangli district”.
“The Tembu irrigation project was stuck for some many years. Even we had thought it would never be completed. But, this project has been completed during the tenure of our Government in the State,” Gadkari said.
Gadkari said that the Maha Government had completed many pending irrigation projects during the last four years.
Gadkari’s reference to eunuchs is bound to spark a controversy in the State. The “eunuch begetting a child” controversy comes on the heels of another controversy over a comment reportedly made during a conversation with a media channel.
It may be recalled that sometime in October this year, a video surfaced in which Gadkari is quoted as saying in Marathi that the BJP "was confident it could never come to power. So some leaders suggested, just make tall promises. If we do not come to power, we won't be responsible anyway." Rahul Gandhi shared the purported video on his twitter handle and commented: "You are right. The public also believes that the Govt exploited their dreams and their trust."
On his part, Gadkari clarified latter that he did not name PM Modi, the BJP nor did he speak of giving Rs 15 lakh to people. Alluding to the video, Gadkari said: “During the Maharashtra State Assembly polls (late BJP leader) Gopinath Munde ji and (Chief Minister) Devendra ji (Fadnavis) had told him to announce that toll would be abolished the BJP comes to power. I said let's not do it because this action will lead to problem as it will be difficult to implement it.