BJP upset with its leader Giriraj Singh over ‘irresponsible’ remarks against Modi critics

New Delhi: BJP on Sunday distanced itself from its Bihar leader Giriraj Singh's 'back Narendra Modi or go to Pakistan' remark with the party saying that he has been conveyed the "displeasure" of the top brass and asked to refrain from stoking any further row.

Singh had said in an election meeting in Jharkhand on Saturday that those opposing Modi would have to go to Pakistan after elections, leaving BJP red-faced and inviting sharp criticism from rival parties who said his comments were aimed at Muslims.

BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said the party had nothing to do with Singh's 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.

BJP doesn't approve of irresponsible statement given by Giriraj Singh.

— Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) April 20, 2014

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 developmental agenda.

"He has been conveyed the leadership's displeasure," a party leader said.

Attacking BJP, 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 would go to the EC. "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.

Singh had said, "Those opposing Narendra Modi are looking at Pakistan, and such people will have place in Pakistan and not in India".