Mayawati slams Modi for 'sarab' acronym, says it reflects PM’s nervousness, 'casteist mindset'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dubbed the alliance of the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh as 'sarab', saying it is harmful for one's health and the state, prompting a furious reaction from the opposition at the comparison with alcohol.

BSP chief Mayawati. Photo PTI (File)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dubbed the alliance of the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh as 'sarab'.

BSP supreme Mayawati said PM Modi's remarks against the SP-RLD-BSP alliance undermined the dignity of the top post and highlight his "casteist and distorted mindset".

She alleged "personal, casteist and communal hatred and animosity" have been the hallmarks of the BJP.

NEW DELHI: BSP supremo Mayawati on Thursday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for comparing the SP-RLD-BSP alliance with alcohol, saying his remarks undermined the dignity of the top post and highlight his "casteist and distorted mindset". Modi used wordplay to attack the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party alliance, saying the first letters of the three parties spell 'sarab', prompting a furious reaction from the opposition at the comparison with alcohol. "Undermining the dignity of Prime Minister's post, Mr. Modi has dubbed the SP-RLD-BSP alliance as 'Sharab' in a Meerut rally. This highlights his fear and nervousness because of the alliance, as well as his casteist and distorted mindset," Mayawati tweeted.

देश के प्रधानमंत्री पद की गरिमा को ताक पर रखते हुए श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी ने आज मेरठ की रैली में सपा-आरएलडी-बसपा गठबंधन को ’शराब’ बताकर इनसे दूर रहने की जो बात कही है वह इनकी इस गठबंधन से हो रही भय व घबराहट के साथ-साथ इनकी जातिवादी एवं विकृत मानसिकता को भी दर्शाता है।

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) March 28, 2019

She alleged "personal, casteist and communal hatred and animosity" have been the hallmarks of the BJP for which the party's government has "grossly misused the official machinery". "And keeping the people and national interest above everything, the BSP-SP-RLD have join hands to ensure BJP defeat in the hustings," she tweeted.

Personal, casteist & communal hatred & animosity have been hallmark of the BJP for which their government has grossly misused the official machinery. And keeping people & national interest above everything, the BSP-SP-RLD have join hands to ensure BJP defeat in the hustings.

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) March 28, 2019

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said Modi launched the poll campaign promising to give his account to the public but flew off without speaking a word about his promise of bringing back black money home. "PM Mr. Modi launched poll campaign promising to give his account to public but he flew off without speaking a word about bringing back black money home to distribute it to the poor @ 15-20 lakh & doubling the income of farmers, leaving the people dazed. Is the chowkidar honest?" she said. The Congress also asked Modi to apologise for comparing the parties to liquor. Alleging that he had lowered political discourse, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "You should apologise to the country as you have insulted the poor by comparing opposition political parties to liquor. You should either take back your words or apologise." SP chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the prime minister of spreading the "intoxication of hatred", saying he didn't know the difference between 'sharab' and 'sarab' (mirage). Yadav added that those who spread the "intoxication of hatred" do not know the difference between "sharab and sarab". "Today the tele-prompter exposed that those who spread the intoxication of hatred do not know the difference between 'sharab' and 'sarab'. "Sarab means mirage, which is a blurred dream which the BJP is showing for the past five years but never fulfilled. It is once against showing 'sarab' to people during elections," Akhilesh said in a tweet.

Published at : 28 Mar 2019 07:36 PM (IST)

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