NEW DELHI: India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the opinion apparently expressed by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan that Hindutva hardliner Narendra Modi’s feared elevation as prime minister could destabilise the region, The Hindu said on Thursday.

Asking Pakistan to “mend its ways”, the BJP cautioned that the “manner” in which the neighbouring country was behaving with India “will not work”.

There was no explanation about what the controversial “manner” might be but rightwing Hindu politicians have a catalogue of sharp criticisms of Pakistan.

The trigger for the BJP’s reaction to Mr Khan’s reported comments is centred on the alleged refuge of Mumbai underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Karachi, who Modi has threatened to bring back to India.

BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said Mr Khan’s statement was an over-reaction in a matter that was not his (the minister’s) subject.

“Mr Modi spoke about his priority in trying to get a convicted Indian criminal back to India and [have him] tried/convicted under due process of the Indian legal system. He believes in positive engagement with the global community, peaceful coexistence, but at no point will our foreign policy bow to any other nation or interest group.

“Pakistan’s Interior Minister’s statements raise serious doubts over their intention of aiding in bringing Indian criminals hiding in Pakistan to justice.”

Mr Khan has reportedly condemned Mr Modi’s statement, saying the BJP leader could become a threat to regional peace. He apparently said: “Before making such an irresponsible statement, Modi should have first confirmed the whereabouts of Dawood.”

Mr Khan said Pakistan could not be taken lightly by talking of attacks on its soil to take out Dawood.

According to reports, the minister has said that Mr Modi has gone to such an extent “in enmity towards Pakistan” that if elected as prime minister, he would destabilise the regional peace.

He has added that the Gujarat chief minister has not learnt his lessons from the 2002 Gujarat riots, when he earned a bad name.

Dawood is accused of masterminding the 1993 Mumbai blasts with the blessings of Pakistan’s military intelligence. Pakistan has denied the charges.