Speaking to journalists yesterday at the party's national headquarters, Luthuli House, in Johannesburg, secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the party wants an open relationship.

"That means the business sector must have a right to criticise us. But it can't be described as 'outburst' or 'bullying' when we express our view on that criticism," he said.

His statement follows the withdrawal of the First National Bank advertising campaign that the ANC deemed too harsh and critical of President Jacob Zuma's administration.

Mantashe said people should not have thin skins when the ANC responds to their criticism.

"When they take crude political positions they must be able to take a political response to those positions.

"But if you think you are going to stand on the mountain and throw stones, you are staying in glass houses, and when we throw stones back, you cry and say your stones are broken, then there is a mistake."