Amid raging controversy over statements by BJP leader Giriraj Singh and VHP leader Pravin Togadia, BJP Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi today said that he disapproved of "petty" statements by those claiming to be BJP's well-wishers as they are deviating the campaign.
"Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP's well- wishers are deviating the campaign from the issues of development and good governance," Modi said. "I disapprove (of) any such irresponsible statements and appeal to those making them to kindly refrain from doing so," he said in a series of tweets on micro-blogging site Twitter. "With great happiness, the entire nation is looking toward BJP for going to people solely on the issue of good governance and development," he further said.
Giriraj Singh had said that those opposing Modi should be sent to Pakistan while Togadia had asked his supporters to forcibly vacate a house purchased by a Muslim in a Hindu- majority area of Bhavnagar. Modi's remarks come in a backdrop of Congress and other parties mounting an attack on him and BJP for not coming clean on the statements made by two leaders.
On Giriraj Singh's comment, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said on Monday that he would "prefer to go to Pakistan" than stopping criticism of Modi. Addressing an election rally in Anantnag district, he had said, "I will prefer to go to Pakistan than stop criticising Modi… Thanks to the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus, I won't have to go to New Delhi. I can board the bus from here only." In Amritsar, BJP leader Arun Jaitley appealed to party well wishers to exercise "utmost restraint" while making statements.
"Every sensible well-wisher of the BJP is expected to exercise utmost restraint and concentrate on issue of governance, which is the theme of our campaign. Any statement to the contrary will only help our rivals," he said. Jaitley, who is pitted against Congress candidate Amarinder Singh in Amritsar, said, "People expect us to govern and deliver. Today, the flood lights are on us. We will now be increasingly put under public scrutiny. Even an isolated irresponsible statement will bring discredit to us."
Focusing on the issue of governance during the campaign, Jaitley wrote in his blog, "The momentum is with us. There is clarity in the campaign. We have fought this election on issues of governance. We must carry every section of society with us."