BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
DELHI:
While the BJP was quick to distance itself from its Bihar leader’s recent statement about Narendra Modi detractors, the party leader Giriraj Kishore Singh stood by his statement.
Talking to the Press Trust of India on Sunday, Singh said, “I stand by my statement that those trying their best to stop Modi from coming to power have no place in India and should go to Pakistan. It’s Pakistan’s interests these Modi-baiters are trying to promote by opposing him in the polls.”
Singh claimed that a number of powerful countries were trying their best to stop Modi from becoming prime minister, and Pakistan topped the list.
He even alleged that Pakistan had pulled out ‘all its cards’ to stop Modi from becoming the prime minister, with some leaders in India acting on its behest by running a campaign against the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate.
“It’s in this context that I have described some Modi-baiters as supporters of Pakistan and asked them to go to the neighbouring country as they have no place in India,” said Singh.
His earlier statement at a Jharkhand rally that those opposing Narendra Modi should be prepared to go to Pakistan after the elections as they will have no place in India has aroused an angry storm with Singh’s own party disowning his words.
The barely veiled allusion to Muslims has caused the BJP to say on record that it had nothing to do with the statement.
Senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi termed the statement ‘irresponsible’ and said the party does not approve of it.
“BJP doesn’t approve of irresponsible statement given by Giriraj Singh,” he tweeted.
Party sources said Singh has been pulled up for his remarks which, BJP believes, have given other political parties a handle to go after it even as it has built its campaign around the development agenda.
“The leadership’s displeasure has been conveyed to him,” a party leader said. Party President Rajnath Singh telephoned him and spoke to him to reprove him.
Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal wondered if non-NDA leaders like Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati will be sent to Pakistan.
He said the Election Commission should take note of Singh’s comments and he should be sent to jail. K C Mittal of Congress Legal Cell said they will go to the Election Commission. “It’s a serious issue. He is trying to provoke people and laying foundation of dividing the nation. The language he used is dangerous and divisive,” he said.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has protested Singh’s statement and has said the Election Commission must take note of it.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2014.
COMMENTS (4)
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@antanu: Agree that giriraj's statements were irresponsible and BJP leadership itself has said so.
Having said that, Indian EC does not have to prove anything to Pakistanis pretending o be Indians. Indian EC has an excellent track record.
I think Modi's win is in the interest of the whole region including and especially Pakistan. Realtions between Pakistan and India have ALWAYS improved under Non Congress Govts and under BJP especillay. Read history my friends.BJP will bash Congress if they come near Pakitsan but it is not the other way around.It is simple poliutics of interest , stupid. I am praying for Modi win and wellcome him in Lahore following footstps of Vajpai .Anti muslim rhetoric is his politics but after all he is an ambitious and forward looking looking businees friendly pragmatic.So come on guys , get out of the emotionalism and think like your leaders. Be pragmatic.
Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal wondered if non-NDA leaders like Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati will be sent to Pakistan.
Except for Nitish Kumar, I wouldn't consider it a loss
giriraj should be barred to contest...If EC is truly unbiased.