A BJP candidate from Gujarat has allegedly been caught on camera saying the population of "topi and dadhiwalas" -- an apparent reference to Muslims -- should be "reduced". He also said he would "instill fear among Muslims" and stop "money for mosques or madrasas". A complaint was filed in the Election Commission against BJP leader Shailesh Mehta, which alleged that his comments were "highly communal and instigating" and violated the model code of conduct for elections.

A purported video of his speech, made during campaigning in the Dabhoi constituency, had surfaced amid the controversy over veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's "neech" slur on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the purported video, Mr Mehta is heard saying, "If any 'topi, daadhiwala' (anybody wearing a cap and sporting beard) is sitting here (in the crowd), pardon me, but there is a need to reduce their population. Many leaders asked me not to say this, as it may go against me, but if 90 per cent of people are supporting me, why should I stop speaking about the 10 per cent people?"