Cong, JD(U) approach EC seeking action against Giriraj,Gadkari

Congress and JD(U) today approached the Election Commission demanding that BJP leader Giriraj Singh be arrested and given "exemplary" punishment over his controversial remarks that "those opposing Narendra Modi will have a place in Pakistan" after elections.

Former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, who was sharing the dais with Singh when he made the remarks yesterday, 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. "You are kindly requested to get FIR registered against him (Singh). He should be arrested along with other conspirators on the dais like Nitin Gadkari (former President BJP) immediately. Action may also be taken against Bhartiya Janta Party for de-recognition as a political party and/or any other action the Commission feels appropriate may also be taken against them," Mittal said in the complaint.

JD(U) Secretary General K C Tyagi also shot off a letter to the EC demanding FIRs be registered against Singh and Gadkari.

The JD(U) leader wrote that Singh had made the remarks in the presence of Gadkari who "himself stirred a row by telling reporters in Patna that casteism was embedded in Bihar's DNA".

He alleged that these leaders were not only trying to threaten minority voters but also divide society.

In the letter, Tyagi said "these kind of remarks is a humiliation for the people of Bihar and Biharis and calls for strict action and criminal proceedings" and sought action against "both" the leaders.

JD(U) General Secretary Javed Raza also said that EC issue an order for Giriraj Singh's arrest and demanded that he should be barred from campaigning.

Singh had reportedly told a poll meeting at Mohanpur Haat Maidan near the temple town Deogarh earlier that "those opposing Narendra Modi are looking at Pakistan, and such people will have place in Pakistan and not in India."