(Image source from: Is Pravin Togadia trying to derail Modi's PM ambitions?})
The International Working President of Hindu right-wing organization, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Pravin Togadia made a royal mess of the saffron party and embarrassed leaders of the Sangh parivaar with his unabashed display of anti-muslim sentiments.
The top most executive of the organization, Togadia kicked off the hornet's nest after he was caught on the cameras proposing people how to deter Muslims from buying lands in Hindu localities. Needless to say, both Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat were highly displeased.
The incident comes shortly after BJP's Bihar candidate from the Nawada constituency, Giriraj Singh lashed out at a rally that anybody who didn't support Narendra Modi must go away to Pakistan, .
While Togadia later refrained from making any such remarks, Giriraj Singh remained quite unapologetic about his divisive stand.
The fresh wave of anti-Muslim sentiments has not only raised eyebrows in saffron circles, but also prompted poll strategists to fear that the Hindutva hardliners were deliberately trying to overthrow party's campaign and Modi's secular agenda by trying to communalise the polls. They further fear that the new wave of anti-secular remarks might give Modi critics a more valid point to argue upon his divisive leadership.
That Modi and Togadia has no love lost is no secret. Last year, Togadia had vehemently protested against Modi being picked as PM candidate and had protested hard to convince Bhagat and Sangh parivaar that they were making a huge mistake by nominating Modi as their PM candidate.
Togadia's stand divided VHP, with one section led by Ashok Singhal backing Modi and the other opposed to him. Eventually, the RSS consented to support Modi and Togadia was forced to come around.
Earlier this year, Modi had refused to share the dais with Togadia during Kumbh Mela. Close aides hint that Modi declined the invitation as he did not want his development agenda to be hijacked by mingling with the hardliners.
Defending the BJP and its prime ministerial candidate, BJP leader Subramanian Swam said, "Modi has won debate of development and government. Here is a person who made a statement that the party disapproves and the party has pulled him up. Modi has no powers to pull him up and only the party president can do it. The party president has taken a stand and the matter ends there."
"Togadia is the top most executive of an organisation that has nothing to do with politics. The question is how is the BJP compelled to take a stand on what Togadia says? Modi has taken already taken action against Togadia in the past. We don't know what Togadia said. The sound bite could be a cut and paste job," Swamy said.
But while the BJP has issued a statement against Togadia, Modi has remained silent.
AW: Suchorita Choudhury
