Will Fight BJP Without Hatred, But Don’t Expect The Same From Them: Rahul Gandhi 

Rahul Gandhi today asserted that the Congress along with other opposition parties will fight the Bharatiya Janata Party without any hatred, but wondered whether he can expect the same from the rival party.

“You can fight someone with all your might, but hate is a choice. I may disagree with Mr (L K) Advani, I may have a completely different conception of the country from that of Mr Advani. And I can fight Mr Advani on every single inch, but I don't need to hate him,” Gandhi said speaking at the launch of journalist Karan Thapar's book 'Devil's Advocate -- The Untold Story'. The Congress Party president added that the atmosphere in India from his perspective was “coloured with a lot of hatred, anger and frustration”.

A host of leaders like former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former vice president Hamid Ansari, senior BJP leader LK Advani, former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, and former Union minister Karan Singh among others were present at the event.

He said that politicians tend to divide the world as us or them. “This is not my natural way, but as Advaniji or Manmohan Singhji will tell you that this is the design of our politics, it's confrontational and it's winner takes all. But this is not how I am designed inside and I am sure this is not how many of you are designed inside,” Gandhi said.

He also took a swipe at the BJP over his hugging of Prime Minister Modi in Parliament, saying now the party’s MPs take “two steps back” on seeing him fearing he may embrace them too.