Criticism of Modi will not be tolerated: RSS leader

The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) has asked the BJP to act tough on leaders who criticise Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

In his parleys with leaders of the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), RSS points-person for BJP, Suresh Soni said Friday that the environment in the country was by far the best for the BJP to make a comeback.

"One has to realise that there is a strong anti-Congress wave in the country. The BJP should work hard to ensure that this anger against the Congress turns into goodwill for the BJP," Soni told party workers that included state president Laxmikant Bajpayi.

On a two-day visit to Lucknow to assess the preparedness of the saffron party for the Lok Sabha polls, Soni told RSS office bearers that the people of the country have taken Modi to be their prime minister and they were now duty bound to support him and bring good governance back.

Soni was instrumental in getting Modi appointed campaign chief of the BJP at the Goa national executive.

He told party workers that they should keep away from factionalism and should instead focus on the return of the party to power.

"Any factionalism or public criticism of each other will only harm party interests," he said.

Leaders attending the meeting told IANS that Soni was categorical in his support for Modi and said the BJP should not go soft on leaders and workers who openly criticise the Gujarat chief minister.

In case, someone does not fall in line, he should be suspended from the party for six years, Soni told party leaders.