As the elections in Uttar Pradesh inches towards the fourth phase, the campaign has turned bitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday termed BSP as 'Behenji Sampatti Party', while Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh made references to advertisements carried by Gujarat government on donkeys.
BJP chief Amit Shah had been repeatedly referring Akhilesh and Rahul Gandhi as Shehzade (princess) to mock their prosperous origins.
As Modi, during a rally on Sunday, referred to alleged discriminatory policy of the state government in allotting land for cremation to certain community, and even giving 24-hour electricity supply for the religious festival of a particular community, the Congress complained to the election commission to de-recognise the saffron party for making communal statements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked Mayawati for opposing the note ban, saying the BSP is no longer Bahujan Samaj Party but ‘Behenji Sampatti Party’. He was addresing a rally in Orai region of Jalaun in Bundelkhand region.
Bundelkhand is considered a strong hold of the BSP, where polling will be held on February 23.
Not to take it lightly, Mayawati hit back saying Narendra Damodardas Modi means Mr Negative Dalit Man. “He is anti-dalit... This negative dalit man does not like that common people giving small contributions in running a movement, which is also run through donations," Mayawati said.
Earlier, PM had coined the word scam to mean 'Samajwadi, Congress, Akhilesh and Mayawati' as against development of the state, Akhilesh Yadav had twisted it to say it meant, 'Save country from Amit (Shah) and Modi.'
Uttar Pradesh CM intensified his attack as he referred to the advertisement campaign run by the Gujarat government, when it was under Modi as CM.
“I would ask the superstar (Amitabh Bachchan, brand ambassdor of Gujarat Tourism) not to advertise the donkeys of Gujarat,” Akhilesh said in a rally. Bachchan had promoted wild asses sanctuary of Gujarat. Several meanings were assigned to Akhilesh's barb.
Urban Development minister Venkahiah Naidu said this was an insult to people of Gujarat.
As Modi had talked about discriminatory power supply, Akhilesh asked Modi to swear on 'Ganga' to say if power was not supplied 24 hours in Varanasi.
There are still four phases of the elections left, before they get over on March 8. The war of words is likely to intensify further.
