Gadkari does a Rahul, has lunch in Dalit's house

Seeking to challenge Rahul Gandhi's bid to attract Dalits, BJP President Nitin Gadkari walked the extra mile to show his concern for the community on the eve of the three-day party meet beginning here today.

Putting his best foot forward to attract Dalits, the first thing Gadkari, 52, did after reaching here yesterday was to proceed to nearby Mhow, the birthplace of B R Ambedkar and pay his respects by garlanding the statue of the Dalit icon there.

Later, he went to the house of a local BJP corporator Preeti Karosiya who hails from the Dalit Valmiki community for lunch.

Gadkari has time and again declared that the focus of the party would be more on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities and other weaker sections.

His pet theme has been 'Antyodaya', serving the last man in the queue.

The new BJP president aims to increase the party's votebank by 10 per cent by winning over these sections.

Infact, BJP has now been saying that its aim was to provide good governance and development while working for the 'last man'.

Rahul Gandhi has been visiting Dalit households during his tours in Uttar Pradesh.