New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a controversial remark about a Congress’s candidate as he launched his poll campaign in Uttar Prdaesh with a rally in Saharanpur. He fuelled a controversy during his speech as he went on to link Congress candidate Imran Masood to Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. He called Imran “son-in-law” of the Pakistani terrorist.

While attacking the Congress party, Yogi went on to say: “Saharanpur has the son-in-law of Azhar Masood, who speaks his language. He came to Saharanpur and got settled here. People have to decide whether they will elect a person who speaks in Azhar Masood’s language or Raghav Lakhanpal.”

"He said after Raghav Lakhanpal wins from here, an apt reply will be given to the one who speaks Azhar Masood’s language.” This was apparently a response to Imran's alleged hate speech against PM Modi in the run up to 2014 polls.

Congress has fielded Imran Masood who is an influential leader in Saharanpur against BJP’s sitting MP Raghav Lakhanpal. Saharanpur will vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 11.

Samajwadi party candidate Haji Fazal-ur-Rehman is also another candidate in Saharanpur. He is a first timer in the Lok Sabha elections and is still being considered a serious opponent to both Masood and Lakhanpal.

Imran Masood was arrested during the 2014 poll cmapaign when he made hate speech about the then PM candidate Narendra Modi, where he said he would chop up Modi into pieces.

On Sunday, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani also attacked Congress  and said that Congress is associated with Pakistan. He said that Congress’ victory "by mistake" in the Lok Sabha election will see Pakistan celebrate Diwali.

"While this is not going to happen, but when the results (of the general election) are announced on May 23 and (if) the Congress wins by mistake, then Diwali will be celebrated in Pakistan because they (Congress) are all associated with it," Rupani said in Mehsana at the launch of the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'vijay sankalp' rally.