Pranab Mukherjee is not wrong in accepting RSS' invitation: Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde

Shinde said Mukherjee is not wrong as he is a secular person.

He has been quoted by NDTV: "Pranab Mukherjee is a secular person. He will always put forth a secular view which he will do there (at the RSS event) as well. He is a very good thinker, and his going there and speaking on that platform is very important."

Mukherjee has reportedly accepted an invitation to attend a key function of the RSS,  the ideological patron of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), at the headquarters of the Sangh in Nagpur, triggering a political firestorm and speculations.

Many Congress leaders have expressed surprise and dismay over Mukherjee's decision, who all through has been seen as a secular leader representing the Congress party at the highest level.

While Congress has not yet officially remarked on the decision of Mukherjee, it is clear that the latter is eyeing a role independent of his political past since 1969, when he was elected to the Rajya Sabha with the support of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

According to media reports, some Congress leaders have urged him to reconsider his decision to attend a function of the saffron outfit which has always been denounced as a communal force by Mukherjee's party and allegedly the former President himself.

Mukherjee is reportedly going to be the chief guest at the valedictory function of the ‘Tritiya Varsh Varg’ or ‘third-year course’ of the RSS recruits on June 7. He will address the new recruits too, said reports.