Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Slamming the Opposition for raising questions on Narendra Modi’s caste, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said that the prime minister has never done caste-based politics and is inspired by nationalism. Jaitley also asked those questioning that is prime minister’s caste is even relevant. Taking to Twitter, Jaitley said, “How is the prime minister's caste relevant? He has never done caste politics. He has only done developmental politics. He is inspired by nationalism.”

In a series of tweets, FM Jaitley said that those deceiving the poor in the name of caste will not succeed and alleged that they have only amassed wealth in the name of caste politics. “Those who are deceiving the poor in the name of caste will not succeed. They have only amassed wealth in the name of caste politics. The Prime Minister’s assets are not even 0.01% when compared to the First Family of the BSP or the RJD,” he tweeted.

Jaitley’s tweets came in response to the accusations made by several opposition leaders including former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati. These Opposition leaders have criticised the statement made by PM Modi at an election rally at Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj.

“Mayawatiji, I am the most backward. I request with folded hands not to drag me into caste politics, 130 crore people are my family. This country did not know my caste until my detractors abused me. I am thankful to Mayawatiji, Akhileshji, the Congress and the 'mahamilavatis' that they are discussing my caste. I believe that taking birth in a backward caste is an opportunity to serve the country,” PM Modi had said at the poll rally on Saturday.

Responding to PM’s statement, Tejashwi Yadav tweeted, “I had said on April 20 (2019) said that @narendramodi ji, after portraying himself as fake OBC, will call himself a person belonging to an extremely backward caste. He did so yesterday (in Kannauj rally in UP). The fact is that he is an upper caste (person) by birth and backward on papers. He (PM) will say so many things just to fetch votes.”

Even senior Congress leader P Chidambaram took to Twitter and said, “Mr Narendra Modi is the first person who became PM later who campaigned wearing his caste on his sleeve (2014). 'I am an OBC'. Now, he says he has no caste!” He also asked if the prime minister takes people as a ‘bunch of idiots’ who have suffered memory loss.

Mayawati too hit out at PM Modi, accusing him of getting his caste included in the list of other backward class (OBC) for political advantage.