Sufi forum: PM's message raised hopes, Sonia's raised fears:

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu today said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the World Sufi Forum raised "hope", Congress president Sonia Gandhi's message "manufactured fear".
In a statement, Naidu said the World Sufi Forum was addressed by the Prime Minister and Congress president in a gap of two days, but their messages were "different as chalk and cheese".
"Prime Minister's speech was raising hope, Congress's was trying to manufacture fear," the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said.
Modi, in his speech, reflected the glory of Sufism and said that Islam is a religion of peace, Naidu said.
The Prime Minister's speech was welcomed by all as it was positive, he added.

Criticising Sonia Gandhi, Naidu said her "written script conveyed dark message that nothing is going right in this country."

Naidu said the PM had spoken like a statesman and categorically rejected the link between terror and religion.
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Asked about reports suggesting that Adityanath was made the chief minister at the behest of the RSS, Naidu shot back, "Who are these people to say? People of UP have given a mandate. Mandate is for BJP and BJP legislators have decided for Yogi Adityanath."
"Our opponents should have some patience. It was a watershed moment for BJP with 325 MLAs. Our opponents have not been able to digest this," the minister later told reporters outside Parliament.

"They are trying to divert the attention by criticising BJP," he said.
"Where is the RSS in this? Where is the VHP in this? Even RSS has clarified also."
Maintaining that RSS does not interfere in CM selection, Naidu said, "I have been party president and during my tenure nine to 10 leaders for state governments were selected.
"It is always the legislators and parliamentary board that decide the leader. I have some experience as party president."
"Never has RSS interfered or dictated to me... Yogiji's name was proposed and overwhelmingly all legislators and unanimously elected him as the leader. So where is the question of RSS dictating? he asked.

Defending Yogi's selection, Naidu said, "He is a five-time MP. Every time he won with more votes. Thirdly, he said after becoming CM that 'my motto is sabka sath, sabka vikas'."
Describing the CM as a "yogi" and above any caste and creed, Naidu said, "He has left his family 22 years back, working for the society, so how come you attribute any caste to him?
Spelling out the CM's action plan for the new UP government, Naidu said, "His efforts will be to take out UP from the 'Bimaru' tag. He has also said his agenda will be 'lok kalyan' (public welfare). He is going to implement the manifesto of BJP.