Shocking That Congress Doesn't Have Courtesy to Greet Narendra Modi, Says Venkaiah Naidu

Hyderabad: Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu today said it is shocking to see Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi not having the courtesy of greeting Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi following the massive mandate received by him.

"Though American President, British Prime Minister, scores of Prime Ministers from across the globe, including our neighbours like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have greeted Narendra Modi, the Congress president and vice president do not have the courtesy or the basic culture of India to greet the person who has got such a massive mandate," Mr Naidu told reporters in Hyderabad. (World Leaders Congratulate Narendra Modi)

People of the country have punished Congress for its failure to keep up promises, and the corruption, misrule and policy paralysis, he added.

Asked whether RSS would be a power centre with the BJP all set to form the government, Mr Naidu said the party takes its own decisions on political issues and the Sangh does not interfere in it. (No 'Remote Control' Role, Says RSS Amid Regular Consultations)

"We are Swayamsevaks and we go to Sangh's office, meet people and talk to Sangh leadership. I worked as party's national president when in power. I never had any such experience. RSS did not put any pressure on any issue. This debate is going on in media.

"There will be no power centre. The (BJP) leadership takes decision after holding consultations with all. You have seen the mandate for Narendra Modi. He is party's leader and he will be Prime Minister and NDA's leader. We will move ahead under his leadership," he said.

Replying to a query about government formation, he said the BJP's parliamentary party would meet tomorrow to elect the leader.

"The President would be informed about it. It is not good to talk about the matter at this juncture. I do not want to give any comment now," he said.