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Updated: Apr 22, 2014 15:09 IST

The Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Tuesday tweeted his disapproval over recent statements made by Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Pravin Togadia and BJP leader Giriraj Singh.

Modi's reaction comes after the Election Commission sought the tape of Togadia's alleged hate speech where he said that people from Muslim community should be stopped from buying properties in Hindu-dominated areas.

Modi, however, did not name anyone in his tweets.

Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP's well wishers are deviating the campaign from the issues of development & good governance. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2014

I disapprove any such irresponsible statement & appeal to those making them to kindly refrain from doing so. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2014

The BJP's prime ministerial candidate said, "I disapprove any such irresponsible statement & appeal to those making them to kindly refrain from doing so."

"Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP's well wishers are deviating the campaign from the issues of development & good governance," he said in another tweet.

The Congress was quick to attack Modi's reaction.

"Modi has not even cancelled ticket of Giriraj Singh, so these are crocodile tears," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told ANI.

An FIR was filed against Togadia on Monday over remarks which drew sharp attacks from various political parties. The VHP leader has denied making any anti-Muslim remark.

Read:FIR against VHP leader Pravin Togadia for ‘hate speech’, EC seeks report

As Togadia's remarks went viral, Modi was said to be very upset. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and other Sangh bigwigs too were displeased as Togadia had been advised to avoid such controversies.

Last year, Togadia was among those Sangh leaders who had vehemently opposed Modi's elevation as PM pick. Given his long-standing rivalry with Modi, Togadia had conveyed to Bhagwat that the Sangh was making a "big" mistake in pushing for Modi as he would eventually turn against them, RSS insiders said.

Modi's tweet also targetted Giriraj Singh who had said on Saturday that those who opposed the party's prime ministerial candidate Modi would have to move to Pakistan after the Lok Sabha election results came out during a poll speech.

Former BJP president Nitin Gadkari had said on Saturday that casteism was embedded in the DNA of Bihar, evoking sharp reactions from both Congress and JD(U).

Related:

Defiant Giriraj stands by his statement on Modi critics despite BJP's disapproval

FIR filed against Giriraj Singh, Gadkari, other BJP leaders

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