The Congress and some other parties today came down heavily on VHP leader Pravin Togadia for his alleged statement to evict minority community from certain areas in Rajkot, Gujarat.
Demanding strict action against the VHP leader, Congress' Legal Department secretary K C Mittal in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner, said that Togadia'a statement is anti-national, provocative and open threat to persons belonging to a particular community and is in violation of model code of conduct. He alleged the intention of such remarks is to seek votes for BJP and Narendra Modi with whom he shares ideology.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also demanded action against Togadia for vitiating the peaceful atmosphere during elections by his alleged action. In a statement issued in New Delhi, the AAP demanded that the Election Commission should direct immediate registration of an FIR against Togadia and the Commission should take strict action against him. The party also demanded that Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi should publicly repudiate this act and take strict action against Togadia.

The left parties have sought immediate arrest of Togadia for his hate speech . CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who also holds the Home portfolio, should take appropriate action immediately . Another CPI(M)leader Brinda Karat has also demanded the arrest of Togadia.

Talking to AIR, CPI leader Atul Anjan condemned Togadia's alleged remarks and said that people like Togadia and RSS have started violating the constitution and strict action should be taken against them.

BJP today declined to comment on Togadia's alleged hate-speech. Replying to a media query in New Delhi, party spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said she will not say anything about people on whom the party has no control and has nothing to do with.

Naresh Gujaral of Shiromani Akali Dal said while he was not aware of what Togadia has exactly said, anybody who speaks this kind of language has no place in our society. Denying the reports that Togadia has made such a statement, RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said that he has spoken to Togadia and he has completely denied making such comments.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has sought the recording of the speech made by Togadia in Bhavnagar on Saturday. Bhavnagar District Collector and Returning Officer P K Solanki said in Rajkot that the officials are in the process of acquiring the recording of the statement made by Togadia and after listening to it they will decide the future course of action.