Patna: Union minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday claimed that the victory of RJD's Sarfaraz Alam in the Araria Lok Sabha byelections would make the place a hub of terrorism, which would be a danger to not only Bihar but also the country.

"The RJD has started a new political culture for its political ambitions... They have spawned an extremist ideology which is a danger not only to Bihar but also to the country in the coming days. It will become a hub of terrorism," claimed Giriraj, the Hindutva hardliner MP from Nawada whose outrageous comments have often embarrassed the BJP.

The remark drew flak from the RJD. Former chief minister Rabri Devi and her son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav slammed Giriraj and asked the BJP leadership to take strict action against the central minister.

"The BJP is frustrated because the people have given them a befitting reply in Bihar as well as in Uttar Pradesh. They are speaking like this out of frustration because people have shown them the way out," Rabri said, adding that "all the terrorists of India are sitting in the BJP's office".

Tejashwi, who led the RJD's election campaign in the absence of his jailed father Lalu Prasad, tweeted: "This Man is the Central Minister and Unfortunately he is not aware that it's his government in Bihar & Delhi. If he & BJP doesn't believe in Nitish Kumar's leadership then why don't ask him to step down or withdraw ur support. Such a Shame for Nitish Kumar."

Alam, the son of late RJD leader Mohammed Taslimuddin who represented Araria in the Lok Sabha at the time of his death, defeated BJP's Pradeep Kumar Singh by over 60,000 votes.

During the election campaign, Bihar BJP president Nityanand Rai had claimed that Araria would become an "IS (Islamic State) den" if the RJD won from there. And if the BJP won, then "the spirit of patriotism would increase in Araria". The comment prompted an FIR against Rai.

This is not the first time that Giriraj has courted controversy with his statements targeting Muslims. A few days ago he had demanded that a debate should be held on rolling back minority status to Indian Muslims.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, Giriraj had sent the BJP ducking for cover when he had said that those opposing Narendra Modi will be sent to Pakistan.

Giriraj, the minister of state for micro, small and medium enterprises, had in the past said that Hindus are being pressurised by political parties to change rituals in the name of administrative measures and vote bank.