Police has filed FIR against Bihar BJP leader Giriraj Singh, former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari and some other party leaders for his ‘go to Pakistan ‘ remarks even Congress and JDU have moved the Election Commission demanding criminal action against Singh.
The FIR was lodged under the Bihar Representation of Improvement of Animal Act, 1952, under the Representation of People’s Act 1951, and for violation of the Model Code of Conduct, police said.
Deoghar Superintendent of Police Rakesh Bansal confirmed that an FIR has been filed against the leaders with the Mohanpur police.
On the direction of sub-divisional magistrate-cum-deputy Returning Officer Jay Jyoti Samanta, the FIR was filed against Singh, Gadkari, BJP’s Godda candidate Nishikant Dubey and those who were on the stage during the meeting at Mohanpur, Bansal said.
Singh had also said in his poll speech that those who opposed the party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi would have to shift base to Pakistan after the outcome of election results.
BJP has disapproved Giriraj’s remarks and affirms it wants to take everyone along. Undeterred by the “displeasure” of BJP top brass over his remark, defiant senior party leader Giriraj Singh on Sunday said he stood by his comments.
The political atmosphere is heating up with the election gaining momentum while the election commission is strengthening the model code of conduct; leaders are leaving no opportunity taking pot shots at their opponents.
Be it the remarks of Imran Masood, Beni Prasad Verma, Azam Khan or Amit Shah joining the list is BJP leader Giriraj Singh.
Giriraj had said in Jharkhand that those opposing Modi will have to go to Pakistan after elections.
Though Giriraj’s comment had left the party red faced soon after the comment, the party distanced itself from the comment, with BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman saying the party has nothing to do with his statement.
In an apparent disapproval of the former Bihar minister’s comments, party President Rajnath Singh said that “BJP believes in the politics of justice and humanity and taking everybody along”.
In Bihar, the former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi tweeted: “The BJP does not approve of irresponsible statement by Giriraj Singh.”
Though the BJP tried to control the damage, Giriraj’s comment had received criticism from other political parties, demanding his arrest and action against BJP.
Congress and JD(U) on Sunday moved the Election Commission demanding that BJP leader Giriraj Singh be arrested and given “exemplary” punishment over his controversial remarks.
Former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, who was sharing the dais with Singh when he made the remarks on Saturday, also came under fire with the parties demanding that he too be booked and that action be taken against BJP.
In a letter to the EC, All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary K C Mittal claimed that the statement by Singh “had been calculatedly made, not only to exploit religious and communal feelings during operation of Model Code of Conduct but also to provoke public disorder.”
Congress demanded that “exemplary” punishment should be imparted in this case and also sought action against the BJP.
JD(U) Secretary General K C Tyagi also shot off a letter to the EC demanding FIRs be registered against Singh and Gadkari.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Modi wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter that BJP doesn’t approve of irresponsible statement given by Giriraj Singh.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal has strongly condemned BJP leader Giriraj Singh’s controversial remark against Modi critics. Calling such statements anti-national, RJD leader Manoj Jha, has asked the Election Commission to take strong action.