All parties including Congress have strengthened federal structure of India: Rajnath Singh

Laying emphasis on strengthening the federal set up of the country, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said political leaders should not only play politics to form government, but also build the nation.

"If you were first to introduce startup policy, I am happy. Why? Because we are in politics not only to form the government, but also to make (build) the country," he said at a gathering at Banquet Hall on Vidhan Soudha (state secretariat) premises here. "I pray God that all politicians should not only play politics to form the government, but make the country," he added.

Singh said "If Karnataka takes an initiative in any work with the spirit of making (building) the country, I think people sitting in Sikkim and North-East will feel happy - politicians will feel happy." "I do not advocate competition of who did the work first, and as far as Bangalore is concerned, the capital of Karnataka, we are proud of Bangalore. Bangalore is not known in India, but also at international level for its intellectual resources," he said.

Singh said governments run by all political parties, including Congress, along with other ruling coalitions have worked towards strengthening the country's federal character, which is why India has attained number one position in terms of attracting foreign direct investment in the world.

"All parties and past governments, run even by the Congress and several coalition parties, have made efforts to strengthen the federal structure of the country. Therefore, we have to work together to take the nation forward, and because of this, India has attained number one position in attracting FDI in the world," he said.