Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday praised Union minister Nitin Gadkari for the latter’s remark that those who cannot take care of their family can’t take care of the nation.

In a tweet, the 48-year-old Gandhi said that Gadkari is the only Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader with guts.

“Gadkari Ji, compliments!  You are the only one in the BJP with some guts,” wrote Gandhi while attaching the copy of a news report on Gadakri’s comment.

Gandhi also asked the Union Minister who handles multiple portfolios of transport, shipping and Ganga rejuvenation, to comment on three issues on which the Congress and other opposition parties are targeting the Centre.

“Please also comment on: 1. The #RafaleScam & Anil Ambani 2. Farmers’ Distress 3. Destruction of Institutions,” concluded Gandhi.

The 61-year-old Gadkari, who has served as a former president of the BJP, had on Saturday said that the first duty of party workers is towards their families.

“I meet many people who say we want to devote our lives for the BJP, for the country. I asked (one such person) what do you do, and who all are there in your family. He said I have closed my shop as it was not doing well….there is wife at home, children,” Gadkari said.

“I said (to him) first take care of your home because one who cannot manage his home cannot manage the country. Hence first manage your home and look after your children properly, then work for the party and country,” he said at a gathering of former workers of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), BJP’s student wing, in his parliamentary constituency of Nagpur.

Gadkari had previously triggered ripples in the political waters when he said on 27 January in Mumbai that “political leaders, who do not fulfil the dreams they peddle, will get thrashed by people”.

Reacting to his comment, the Congress had then said that the Union minister has his eyes on the PM’s chair.

“It is clear that Gadkari’s eyes are on the PM’s chair and his comments are directed towards Modi,” Congress leader Manish Tewari told reporters.

Even Opposition leaders had used Gadkari’s comment to hit at PM Modi.

In a tweet addressed to Modi, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said Gadkari “is showing you the mirror, and in a very subtle way”.

In December last, Gadkari had remarked that leadership should own up to failures.

The BJP played down Gadkari’s comments saying they were twisted and political benefits were being sought out of it. The party had said that Gadkari was slamming the Congress who gave empty slogans of ‘Garibi Hatao’ but did not do anything as well as Rahul Gandhi.