Humanity should be greater than 'Lakshman Rekha' of politics: Ex-CM Vasundhara Raje

Jaipur, Jul 15 (PTI) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Wednesday said humanity should be greater than the 'Lakshman Rekha' of politics, asserting that present day politics is marked by vendetta and a decline in the level of discourse. The BJP leader was addressing a programme organised as part of the Amrit Mahotsav marking the 75th foundation year of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. Recalling an incident, Raje said that when she went to the Congress office following the demise of former MP Dr Abrar Ahmed, some of her well-wishers advised her that it was not appropriate to visit the Congress office. "I told my well-wishers that humanity should be greater than the Lakshman Rekha of politics," she said. Referring to cordial social relations despite differing political ideologies, she cited the relationship between veteran late leader Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and former Rajasthan chief minister Haridev Joshi. She also mentioned that the then prime minister P V Narasimha Rao had sent Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Geneva to counter a proposal by Pakistan on human rights violations. "But now, there is vendetta in politics and the level of language has declined," she said. "Have intense rivalry if you must, but leave some room so that when we face each other, we do not feel embarrassed," Raje added. PTI AG KSS KSS