Modi, Maya spar over Ambedkar’s legacy

With an eye on Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the BJP and RSS jointly made efforts to appease the Dalit community. While Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati cautioned Dalits and backwards on BJP’s designs.

The BSP supremo also hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for “not taking cognisance” of suicides by Dalit students when his party was in power. “Now that the Congress is out of power, the ‘yuvaraj’ (prince) is going around in states ruled by other parties and indulging in theatrics,” she said referring to Rohith Vemula suicide in Hyderabad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday targeted the Congress saying, “Congress should repent for undermining BR Ambedkar’s legacy for 60 years. Some persons are distressed why Modi is doing all this. This is a matter of our dedication and conviction. We believe that social harmony can be achieved only by following the path shown by Baba Saheb. I feel proud to work at the feet of Baba Saheb.” He was speaking at a function held at Ambedkar’s birthplace Mhow in Madhya Pradesh.

Referring once again to his humble origins, Modi said that if the son of a woman, who used to fetch water in others’ houses could become Prime Minister, the credit for it goes to Ambedkar.

However, this was countered by the BSP head. Charging BJP of playing with the emotions of Dalits just for political gains, Mayawati said, “BJP or RSS can make any Dalit or backward as the Prime Minister or Chief Minister of any state but they cannot do anything good for his people... they will always remain a bonded labourer of BJP or RSS.”

“This is clearly evident in the government of Narendra Modi who moves around saying that he is an OBC... leave alone doing anything for his caste people, he has not done anything for tea sellers though he has had free tea from them,” Mayawati said. Virtually sounding the bugle for 2017 assembly election, Mayawati also targeted ruling Samajwadi Party accusing it of “failing on all fronts” and promised a society free of fear and corruption if she is voted to power.