BJP today pulled up its Bihar leader Giriraj Singh for his 'back Narendra Modi or go to Pakistan' remark but he remained unfazed and stood by his controversial comment that has been slammed by rival parties.
Congress and JD(U) complained to Election Commission and demanded criminal action against him.
Distancing itself from Singh's controversial remark, BJP sought to undo the damage with president Rajnath Singh saying the party believes in the politics of "justice and humanity" and taking everybody along.
Party sources said Giriraj, a Lok Sabha candidate from Nawada, has been conveyed the party's displeasure over his statement and asked to refrain from stoking any further row.
Singh had said in an election meeting in Jharkhand yesterday that those opposing Modi will have to go to Pakistan after elections, leaving BJP red-faced and inviting sharp criticism from rival parties who said his comments were directed at Muslims.
In an apparent disapproval of the former Bihar minister's comments, Rajnath said, "BJP believes in the politics of justice and humanity and taking everybody along".
Senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi termed the statement "irresponsible" and said the party does not approve of it. "BJP doesn't approve of irresponsible statement given by Giriraj Singh," he tweeted.
BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said the party distances itself with his statement and Modi's tweet reflects its view.
"I stand by my statement that those trying their best to stop Modi from coming to power have no place in India and should go to Pakistan whose interests these Modi-baiters have sought to espouse by opposing him in the polls," Giriraj told PTI in Patna.
"In democracy, everybody can oppose and I have no problem with that...But nobody has a right to act against national interest and appear to be speaking the language of a foreign country which has been known to act against our country..."
Isolated in his party, Giriraj tried to clarify his stand in a tweet.
"I maintain many Pakistani pro are constantly opposing namo. This nation belongs to Indian at heart else Pakistan always welcome anti India (sic)," he wrote, apparently giving a twist to his original statement.
The Congress and JD(U) wrote separate letters to the Election Commission (EC) seeking criminal proceedings against Giriraj, saying the remarks were in violation of poll code.
NCP condemned the remarks as violating the poll code, Indian Penal Code and Constitution.
