Patna, May 24 (IANS) Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal-United spokesperson Neeraj Kumar on Sunday said ‘castiesm’ is in the DNA of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his call for an end to caste-based politics in Bihar is full of contradictions.
Neeraj Kumar said the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has been regularly organising meetings of various castes to woo them ahead of next state assembly polls later this year.
“Modi had used his own backward caste to attain his current position. He is now calling for an end to caste-based politics in Bihar, but last year during campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls, he used his own backward caste origin. Besides, his party too played caste cards, projecting him as ‘Chaiwala’ and a backward caste leader too,” said the a senior JD-U legislator.
Neeraj Kumar said Modi’s remark exposes his hypocrisy. “The BJP even tried to identify ancient Indian emperor Ashoka with a particular caste for the sake of votes. Modi should advise BJP to eradicate caste-based politics,” he said.
Neeraj Kumar recalled how during the Lok Sabha polls campaign, Modi promoted backward castes by asking them to vote for the saffron party for their own safety and protection.
“Now the same Modi wants to end caste-based politics, however, his party continues with caste politics. It is more or less similar to his party leaders giving hate speeches against the minority,” Neeraj Kumar said.