Bihar BJP chief says 'will chop off fingers that point at PM Narendra Modi', sparks row

PATNA: If you're in Bihar, then don't you dare “raise your hands or fingers” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

The Bihar BJP president and Lok Sabha MP from Ujiyarpur, Nityanand Rai, has threatened to chop off fingers and break hands of any person who “points” at the Prime Minister.

PM Modi has overcome great odds to lead the country and this should be a source of pride for all, added Rai.

The lawmaker was addressing members of the Vaishya and Kanu (OBC) communities in a function on Monday while making the comment.

Referring to hardships faced by PM Modi, Rai said when the Prime Minister' mother would serve food to him, neither the son nor the mother would look at each in the plate

"Your own son rose out of poverty to become PM, regardless of differences everyone in the country should value it. If any hand or finger is raised against him (Modi), we should come together and break it and if need be even chop it off," said Rai.

The MP later clarified that it was just an expression meaning anyone going against the PM will be dealt with sternly. 

"Maine muhaware ke roop mein kaha tha. Main khed vyakt karta hun aur apne bayaan ko wapas leta hoon (I said it as a proverb. I am sorry about it  and take back my statement)," he told ANI. 

Deputy Chief Minster Sushil Kumar Modi and other BJP Bihar ministers Nand Kishore Yadav, Mangal Pandey and Suresh Sharma were also present at the event.

Rai, a prominent Yadav leader from Vaishali, represents Ujiarpur constituency. He became the party's Bihar chief in December 2016.