Giriraj Singh says Modi opponents will have to go to Pakistan

Published here
Dumka, April 19

In a brazen attempt to polarise voters in Jharkhand's Godda Lok Sabha constituency, BJP's Nawada candidate Giriraj Singh said on Friday that those attempting to stop Narendra Modi will have no place in India and will have to go to Pakistan.

In a short video clip uploaded on the NDTV's website, the Bihar-based Giriraj Singh - with former BJP President Nitin Gadkari by his side - is seen saying at a pre-election rally to applause, "Woh log Narendra Modi ko rokna chahate hain, woh Pakistan dekh rahe hain. Aane walo din mein aise logon ke liye jagah Hindustan mein nahi, Jharkhand mein nahi. Parantu Pakistan mein hoga, Pakistan mein hoga." [Those who want to stop Narendra Modi are looking up to Pakistan for support. In the coming days, there won't be a place for such people in India, in Jharkhand. Because their place will be in Pakistan, in Pakistan.]

BJP's outgoing Godda MP Nishikant Dubey is facing a triangular contest, with Congress' Fukran Ansari and JVM(P)'s Pradeep Yadav determined not to let him win a second time. In 2009, Dubey won by a majority of 6407 in the constituency with significant Muslim votes: he got 23.76 percent of votes, while 2004-winner Ansari had 22.96 and Yadav, 22.18 percent. The BJP is clearly hoping caste Hindu voters will rally around its candidate this time.

By around 4 PM on Saturday, Giriraj Singh tweeted from his @girirajsinghbjp account: "I maintain"many Pakistani pro are constantly opposing namo.this nation belongs to Indian at heart else Pakistan always welcome anti India " (sic.)."

This is not the first time Singh is using the Pakistan bogey. On April 9, he tweeted, "Those chanting secular,secular should open an NGO in Pakistan and Bangladesh and should work for minority betterment."

In March, Singh - a Bhumihar Brahmin - had made his displeasure known after the party allotted him the Nawada seat instead of his preferred Begusarai. He went on to hint that fellow party leader Sushil Modi was responsible for the slighting before falling in line and accepting the BJP's decision.