The Bihar police registered a First Information Report or FIR against BJP leader Giriraj Singh, who kicked up a row following his observations on Narendra Modi's baiters. Singh has reportedly been severely chastised by his own party. According to BJP sources, party president Rajnath Singh asked him to desist from making such comments, which "hurt the party's interests".

 

Yesterday, Singh, addressing a rally in Godda district of Jharkhand, had said, "Those who want to stop Narendra Modi(from becoming prime minister) are looking towards Pakistan. In the coming days, they will have no place in India. They will only have place in Pakistan’. 

 

But the BJP's candidate from Nawada in Bihar, was insolent. "I stand by my statement," he told media persons, quickly adding that his words were directed only at "Pakistan-parast log (those favouring Pakistan)". 

 

His political opponents, while slamming, demanded action against him by the Election Commission.

 

"Will they send all the parties that do not come under NDA to Pakistan? I think 90% of the people will have to be sent to Pakistan, as they won't vote for Modi," said Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal, adding, "Election Commission should take cognizance into this and send him to jail."

 

"We will complain to Election Commission that Giriraj Singh be arrested for hate speech and for trying to create divide between 2 sections of society," said senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi.

 

Singh's remarks, coming on the heels of senior leader Amit Shah's alleged hate speeches, have supplied more ammunition to the Opposition which has articulated its attack on the BJP, accusing it of pursuing a disruptive agenda. The saffron party, led by Narendra Modi, has centered its campaign around development, consciously steering clear of any issue perceived to polarize voters.

 

Opinion polls suggest that the BJP, led by Mr Modi, could win the maximum seats in the national election.