In yet another move which strengthened the criticism that he was still fixated with his home state Maharashtra, BJP president Nitin Gadkari today hoisted the national flag in Nagpur instead of the party headquarters here.
Gadkari, who has himself confessed on several occasions that he is new to national politics, has often been criticised for spending less time in Delhi and more in Nagpur, where he is based.
On the first independence day celebrations today since he took over as BJP president, Gadkari hoisted the national flag at the local BJP office in Nagpur.
Party sources said it is perhaps the first time in the last 25 years that a BJP president has not hoisted the national tricolour at 11, Ashoka Road on August 15.
Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, former Uttarakhand chief minister and now Rajya Sabha MP, unfurled the flag at BJP headquarters today. Incidentally, his official residence is adjacent to the office.
Several senior leaders have complained in private that Gadkari is either travelling or spends more time in Nagpur than in the national capital.
"He spends time in Delhi only when he has to hold meetings here," a party leader said.
Gadkari had himself said after becoming president in December that he had never spent a night in Delhi and was unfamiliar with the roads of capital.
