Pranab Mukherjee at RSS event: Decision is not desirable for country, says Moily

Senior Congress leader M. Veerappa Moily on Monday said the attendance of former president Pranab Mukherjee in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) event will create an "undesirable difference" in the country.

"The very gesture of attending (RSS event) will make a difference which is not desirable for the country: Moily said on former president Pranab Mukherjee accepting invite to attend RSS event.

Moily's statement comes amid a raging debate over Mukherjee accepting the invite from the RSS to attend the event.

Senior Congress leaders, including former Union Minister CK Jaffer Sharief, have urged former President Pranab Mukherjee to reconsider his decision to visit RSS headquarters in Nagpur on June 7.

While the Congress officially said it did not like to comment on the matter, former finance minister P Chidambaram said there was no point in debating the issue as he has already accepted the invitation. But he advised Mukherjee, "I would say, Sir, now that you have accepted the invitation, please go there and tell them what is wrong with their ideology."

However, in a scathing letter, Kerala Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said his readiness to be the chief guest at the valedictory function of Sangh Shiksha Varg - a training camp for RSS volunteers in Nagpur on June 7 - came as a "rude shock" as it was organised by a "communal outfit" that has been "trying to divide the country on religious lines and to run the incumbent government by remote control.

However, Mukherjee in a veiled response, said that all queries will be answered once he speaks in Nagpur, where the event is scheduled to be held.

"Whatever I have to say, I will say in Nagpur. I have received several letters and phone calls but I haven't responded to anyone yet," Mukherjee was quoted as saying by Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika.

Meanwhile, the RSS hailed the former President's greatness for accepting their invitation to address their workers in Nagpur.

"This isn't surprising for those who know and understand the Sangh, because RSS has always invited prominent people of the society in its programmes. This time, we invited Dr Pranab Mukherjee and it's his greatness that he has accepted our invitation," read a statement from the RSS.

Mukherjee, who has been a Congress veteran, will be the chief guest at the valedictory function of Sangh Shiksha Varg - a training camp for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers - at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, scheduled on June 7.