This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Bihar Elections: Amit Shah Says Pakistan Will Celebrate Diwali If BJP Loses

If BJP Loses In Bihar, Pakistan Will Celebrate Diwali: Amit Shah
PATNA, INDIA - JANUARY 23: Amit Shah, BJP National President addressing an anniversary function of veteran socialist leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur on January 23, 2015 in Patna, India. A three-day membership drive will also be reportedly organised by booth level workers next month with an aim to recruit 75 lakh members for the BJP by March 31. (Photo by AP Dubey/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
PATNA, INDIA - JANUARY 23: Amit Shah, BJP National President addressing an anniversary function of veteran socialist leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur on January 23, 2015 in Patna, India. A three-day membership drive will also be reportedly organised by booth level workers next month with an aim to recruit 75 lakh members for the BJP by March 31. (Photo by AP Dubey/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

RAXAUL, Bihar -- BJP President Amit Shah today said if BJP loses in Bihar, Diwali will be celebrated in Pakistan, a statement his rivals called was an attempt to communalise the elections.

"If BJP loses Bihar elections even by chance, though victory or defeat will happen in Patna, firecrackers would be burst in Pakistan," he told an election rally here in East Champaran district.

He appealed to the people to ensure victory of BJP "so that disappointment descends in Pakistan".

On a whirlwind campaign in Bihar for next two phases of polling, Shah's statement assumes significance as these phases would cover a number of constituencies where Muslims are in sizeable number in the 57 seats in the last phase that includes Kisanganj, Araria, Purnea, Katihar and Darbhanga.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has fielded candidates in six seats in Seemanchal areas.

Meanwhile, the grand secular alliance has taken strong exception to Shah's statement and has decided to knock the doors of the Election Commission tomorrow.

A delegation of JD(U), RJD and Congress would lodge a complaint with the Election Commission against Shah's reference to Pakistan "which is aimed at polarisation of votes on communal lines", JD(U) General Secretary K C Tyagi told PTI. .

Contact HuffPost India

Also see on HuffPost:

Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh — 40.8%

India's Top 10 Tourist Destinations, According To Flickr

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.