Rajagopalachari wanted India to remain united: Narayanan

India's last Governor-General C Rajagopalachari wanted India to remain united after its Independence, according to former National Security Advisor M K Narayanan.
"Rajaji always wanted India to remain firm and continue in the same state even after getting freedom. Rajaji even tried to convince both (Jawaharlal) Nehru and (Mohammed Ali) Jinnah to come to an understanding, thus enabling the country to remain united," a release quoted Narayanan as saying.
He was delivering a talk on 'Relevance of Rajaji Today' at the Bhavan's Rajaji International Institute of Public Affairs and Administration (RIIPAA) here.
While explaining the rationale behind Rajaji leaving Congress party and establishing Swatantra Party, Narayanan said that he was "moderate yet conservative".

"He was a great visionary of the times, who propagated pluralism with great conviction, who is very convincing yet firm on making decisions," the former NSA said.
Narayanan, a former West Bengal Governor, further said that values and practices followed by Rajaji were still relevant.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan suggested the institute to increase its research into defence, strategic studies and international affairs.
He also asked the management of the institute to develop research papers on various subjects and thus enabling the government to get valuable inputs, the release added.