The former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader O.Rajagopal said here on Friday that it was time to end “untouchability” between different political parties in the country.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Rajagopal said he personally felt the need for a change in ties between various political parties keeping with the times.
Mr Rajagopal was responding to a query on an article that appeared in the Sangh Parivar publication, ‘Kesari’, favouring friendly relationship between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
He said the Congress need not be embarrassed over the article. Instead, it should accept the reality that the period of “untouchability” among various political parties has to be ended.
According to him, political parties should join hands each other, at least over matters of common interest and there should not be any permanent enemies in politics. “They could not agree with each other on many issues. But, mutual respect and friendship should be there in matters of common interests and policies,’’ he said.