New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS): Amid speculation about his emerging as one of the prime ministerial candidates of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), party president Nitin Gadkari Saturday said that he was not keen on any post and wanted to use politics to serve the society and poor.
"I do not want to get a post. I do not have an expectation also," Gadkari said, speaking at a function where a compilation of his speeches was released.
Gadkari said experience about poverty as a student, during a trip in Maharashtra, had cast a deep impression on him and his resolve to work for the society and country had been further strengthened after he recovered from a serious accident.
The book in Hindi, titled "Vikas Ke Path" (Roads to Development), was released by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the presence of party veteran L.K. Advani and BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders.
Gadkari said politics should be an instrument of socio-economic transformation.
"The concept of being in politics only for power should be changed. The aim should not power but to transform the society," he said.
Gadkari, who spoke about the development works he had initiated in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra before coming to Delhi as BJP president, cited his work in the field of bio-diesel, bio-fertiliser, solar energy and boosting entrepreneurship among the poor.
Pointing to his work as a minister in Maharashtra, Gadkari said though his name appears in Limca Book of Records for maximum work in concrete, he was not a civil engineer.
Gadkari, who was new to political circles of the national capital before his elevation as BJP president, said he "does not properly understand people of Delhi".
Striking a note of modesty, he said he was "mediocre" and had got more than he deserved.
In his speech, M.J. Akbar, editor, Sunday Guardian, said that the book was not on politics but about "development".
He said there was need to eschew politics of emotion as the country had paid a price for it.
In his brief remarks, Advani said that though the book was by president of a national party, there was very little discussion on politics.
"This is a good thing. The discussion for the past one and a half years has not been on politics but corruption," he said.
Advani said people who read Gadkari's book will have a sense of respect towards politicians.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar emphasised the need to "spiritualise politics" and said political leaders should be guided by welfare of the poor.
"There is need to spiritualise politics, socialise business and secularise religion," he said.
Lauding the book, he said such books provide vision to younger generation.
RSS leader Suresh Soni also spoke.
BJP leaders said that the function was part of efforts by Gadkari to showcase party's development agenda.