My relations with PM "too sacred, emotional": Rajnath

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Sep 23 2014 | 4:45 PM IST
Brushing aside reports of differences with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said his relations with Modi was "too sacred, emotional and deep" and that he would ensure it is never spoilt even if he is "personally harmed".
The Home Minister also made it clear that Modi's primacy in the Union Cabinet was "very natural and not imposed".
"Let me tell you that in the past one-and-a-half years, our relationship has grown quite deep.... Those who are speculating about our relationship are totally unaware of its depth.
"It is too sacred, emotional and deep to let anything spoil it. I will not let this happen even if I am personally harmed. You see, in my public life, credibility is the only capital I have earned. And I am determined not to fritter it away and lead the life of an animal (pashuvat jeevan jeena sweekar nahin)," the Home Minister was quoted as saying in the latest issue of 'Governance Now'.
Singh was responding to questions about his equation with Modi especially in view of the much-talked relations in the past between former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee with Sardar Patel and L K Advani respectively.
Singh, a former BJP President, sought to put speculation at rest that there was anything wrong between him and Modi.
"If I have established a deep personal and emotional bond with a certain individual, I cannot think of harming him or her in any way. I cannot commit the sin of harming someone close to me simply because I have developed some differences with that person. This is not my politics."
Singh also appeared to admit that there may be some people nursing grievances against him "over some confusion" in the past.
"I am open to talking to them and resolving the issues. You must have noted consistency in my conduct even when I faced friends-turned-foes in Uttar Pradesh. I have never used any derogatory description for even the worst of my adversaries and never harmed them," he said.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Sep 23 2014 | 4:45 PM IST

Next Story