In a queer appeal, SP's Kairana MLA Nahid Hasan has urged people of his assembly segment to boycott "pro-BJP" shopkeepers and buy goods of their daily needs from neighbouring Panipat in Haryana to make them "fall in line".

"My appeal to all the residents of Kairana is that you should stop purchasing goods, items and material from pro-BJP shopkeepers," Hasan is heard urging people in a video footage, which has gone viral on the social media.

"For next 10 days or for even a month, you go to the neighbouring Panipat (in Haryana) and face some hardships," Hasan is heard saying, oblivious of the losses that UP state exchequer may incur in the process.

"Their business runs only when we buy things from them. This will make pro-BJP shopkeepers to mend their ways and fall in line (tabiyat mein sudhaar aa jaayegaa)," the Kairana MLA is heard telling the people.

On being asked about the footage, Hasan promptly owned it up, saying it was indeed his message.

"The small traders both Hindus and Muslims are harassed by pro-BJP shopkeepers of the city, who want to uproot small traders from their traditional marketplace," he told PTI.

"Here we (Muslims) are more and you are earning money from us," said an unabashed Hasan, adding, "This is my personal opinion."

Reacting to Hasan's appeal in the video message, UP BJP spokesperson Chandramohan termed it as "abysmal" and "divisive."

"The statement made by the SP MLA is abysmal. One cannot expect such a divisive statement, dividing the society, from a public representative," said Chandramohan.

"This type of statement only reflects the SP leaders' mindset. From this statement, it is amply clear that it is these SP leaders who have been creating unrest in the western UP, riots in Muzaffarnagar and exodus of people from Kairana," said the BJP spokesperson.

"Now when the UP government is acting tough on the various illegal activities of the SP workers, they are baffled," he added.

The BJP spokesperson also demanded that SP chief should clear his party's stand on his MLA statement.

"Is it correct to relate a trader with a particular political party? A trader is a trader. Such comments are not good for the society, and an example of dirty politics," Chandramohan said.