Muslims should give up benefits if they hate Modi: BJP’s Ashok Yadav defends controversial remark amid backlash

Darbhanga: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ashok Kumar Yadav on Monday clarified his earlier remark allegedly made about Muslim voters, stating that if voters are unwilling to support the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), they should forgo the benefits of the government’s ongoing welfare schemes.

Speaking to media in Keoti assembly constituency, Yadav explained that his statement was made in the context of inclusive development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"My statement was that Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar work for everyone, be they Hindus or Muslims or Dalits or Backwards or Extremely Backwards. So, if we work for everyone, during elections, we expect to get votes from all communities. We get votes from all communities but wherever the Muslims are in the majority, 'pure-Muslim booths', we get a zero. So, I said that if they have such hatred for Narendra Modi, turn down all the benefits from development that you are getting. That is all I said," Yadav said.

What was his clarification about?

The MP reiterated that his comment was not meant to target any particular community but to highlight that the government’s development efforts benefit all citizens.

Reaffirming the BJP’s focus on inclusive development, Yadav accused the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of seeking votes on communal lines.

"PM Modi does no discrimination. So, who is communal here? We are accused of being communal. But who votes on religious lines? Elections are going to be held in Keoti and people of one religion are uniting behind the RJD candidate there. We talk about development and go to people with these matters. Opposition is seeking votes on religious and caste lines. This is not good for democracy," he said.

What was the controversial remark?

Yadav’s earlier comments, made while campaigning for BJP candidate and sitting MLA Murari Mohan Jha, had stirred controversy. The MP compared the atmosphere during Keoti elections to being near the Pakistan border and suggested that voters who did not support the BJP should not avail the benefits of NDA schemes.

"When the elections are held in Keoti, it feels like we are on the Pakistani border... you should say goodbye (to schemes) if you don't vote (for BJP)," he said on Sunday.

Union Minister Nityanand Rai was also present at the campaign event.

The Keoti assembly seat in Darbhanga district is witnessing a four-way contest. BJP’s Murari Mohan Jha is seeking re-election, while RJD’s Faraz Fatmi, Jan Suraaj’s Biltu Sahni and AIMIM’s Mohammad Anisur Rahman are also in the fray.

Before Jha’s victory, the seat was represented by RJD’s Faraz Fatmi, making the contest particularly close as two familiar candidates vie to reclaim the position.

The Bihar assembly elections are scheduled to be held in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.
ANI inputs