BJP conveys displeasure to Giriraj Singh over his remark

New Delhi, Apr 20:

on Sunday distanced itself from its

leader

'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 yesterday that those opposing Modi will 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.

Party sources said Singh has been pulled up for his remarks which, BJP believes, have given other poliitcal 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 will 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".

PTI