Facing persistent attacks from BJP leader LK Advani, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday asked him to "avoid harsh words" even as he wished success to his yatra.
Singh also refused to get drawn into whether Advani had Prime Ministerial capabilities, saying it was for the people of the country to decide.
"On foreign soil, I am not going to criticise any national leader," the Prime Minister told journalists when asked to comment on Advani's repeated attacks on him.
The BJP leader only yesterday described Singh as the "weakest Prime Minister" and said he had "pity" on him.
Singh, who was talking while returning from his three-day visit to South Africa, said he wishes "Mr Advani a successful yatra".
At the same time, the Prime Minister said he hoped that Advani did not use language which at times "appears to be intemperate" In politics, it is better to avoid harsh words".