Puri (Orissa), Dec. 7: A concerted campaign must be launched across Gujarat to unseat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, said the Shankaracharya of Puri on Friday.

Appealing to all secular parties to bury their differences, Swami Adhokshanand Dev Teerth said in a statement that the BJP Government in Gujarat had hurt the cause of communal harmony and brought shame to the Hindu community.

"The tall claims of Modi that he is 'Vikas Purush' and a well-wisher of the Hindus have proved to be hollow, " he said.

"Secular parties should not to squabble on issues like Nandigram. Instead, they should accept the greater challenge of removing Modi from the temple of democracy by pooling their efforts to launch a concerted campaign against him, " the Hindu pontiff said.

Criticising Hindutva organisations, he said that these bodies should not indulge in double standards, and added it was "most unfortunate" that Modi managed to stay in power for five years.

"The people of Gujarat must not be swayed and misled by the overtures of the Modi government. Instead, they should play an active role in toppling the state government in the coming assembly elections, " he concluded. (ANI)