New Delhi, Jun 6 (IANS) : The Congress on Monday said issue-based unity displayed by opposition parties during birthday celebrations of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi is "good for the nation and democracy".

"The opposition unity, as called for by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, is a good step because all these parties should be together on issues facing the nation," Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken said here.

"Issue-based unity was displayed by the opposition parties in Chennai during the birthday celebrations of most senior opposition leader (Karunanidhi) and it is healthy for democracy," he added.

Maken said: "The Bharatiya Janata Party, when it was in opposition, used to forge unity among opposition parties against the Congress. There cannot be two different sets of rules -- one for you when you are in opposition and the other for opposition parties when you are in power."

As for Gandhi reading Upanishads and the Bhagwad Gita to take on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the BJP, Maken said: "Both have to understand the message of the Gita, Upnishads and Vedas, which primarily teach unity among people.

"They teach about harmony among different sets of people. Some political parties try to divide polity, divide the nation. Rahul ji has given them a befitting reply by saying that these religious scriptures teach how to unite people, teach how to forge harmony among people and not to create discord among people."