Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu has dismissed allegations of intolerance as politically motivated. “India has been tolerant and a few isolated incidents here and there can’t tarnish the image of the country. It is not proper to blow them out of proportion to mar country’s reputation globally,” he said.

Addressing the members of Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTAPCCI) here on Saturday, he flayed the opposition and intellectuals for holding Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for the incidents that happened in the States ruled by the Congress Party and Samajwadi Party.

“Murders of Kalburgi and Dabholkar happened in Congress-ruled States and Dadri lynching occurred in Uttar Pradesh. How can the Prime Minister intervene? If he does, you’d blame him for diluting the Federal structure of the country,” he said.

Taking potshots at the Opposition Congress party on the issue of intolerance, Venkaiah Naidu, who also held the Parliamentary Affairs portfolio, has asked the party to let the Houses to function smoothly to discuss the issue of intolerance. “We are ready to discuss the subject if allowed to run the House without interruptions,” he said.

No Magic wand

Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn’t hold any magic wand, the senior BJP leader said he needed some time to meet the expectations of different sections of population. “They blame us for being friendly with the businesses and industrialists. But without them how can the country generate wealth,” he wondered.

He later presented the annual FTAPCCI awards to various businesses and industries for excelling in different categories.

Related Topics