Leaders should not have animosity for political opponents: Rajnath Singh

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday hit back at Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, saying no leader should have animosity towards the political opponents and parties should not try to create a sense of fear in the minds of people.

Addressing a function organised on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, he said the country's first Prime Minister had no animosity to his ideological opponents and had even invited RSS to take part in the Republic Day parade in 1963.

"We should never have ill feelings towards our political opponents. We should not create any fear psychosis in people's mind. We should not create any sense of fear by making unnecessary statement. We should create a sense of confidence among people. All political parties must work for that," he said.

Later when asked to explain why he made the statement, the Home Minister referred to the Congress Vice President's statement at a similar function on Thursday. In his speech, Rahul had said that "angry" people are nowadays running the country and had a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the "Swachhta Abhiyan", saying "photo opportunities" are galore.

"These days, the foundation of love and brotherhood is being demolished. On the one hand houses are being painted and roads are being cleaned. Photo opportunities are happening.
Snaps are being taken. On the other hand, poison is being spread. The very foundations are being weakened," Rahul had said.