The views expressed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Praveen Togadia on evicting Muslims from Hindu-dominated areas “are not that of the BJP,” former chief minister Jagadish Shettar has said.

“While I am not aware of the statements made, personally, I believe that it is his personal opinion if he has said something like that the stand taken by Togadia is not that of the BJP,” Shettar said here on Monday.

On the other hand, Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a statement has said that the elections should be about governance and development and not hate.

“All those who are stoking insecurity are doing injustice to the country. Hatemongers such as Togadia are the ones who should be sent out of the country,” he added.