In controversial remarks, senior BJP leaderGopal Bhargava on Monday sought to portray the October 21 bypoll in Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua assembly seat as a "fight between Pakistan and India" and not just a contest between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.
Bhargava asked the electorate in Jhabua to vote for BJP candidate Bhanu Bhuria as he "represents India" and said his rival Congress nominee "represents Pakistan".
Seeking support for the BJP in tribal-dominated Jhabua, the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly told a public gathering, I with faith can say the countrys respect is at stake right now.
"It is not a fight between two parties. This is an election between India and Pakistan."
Looking at the people assembled at the gathering in the Ragwada chowk area of Jhabua, the former minister said, "Raise your hands whether you are with Hindustan or Pakistan."