Mayawati, Akhilesh target Modi in Varanasi

In yet another personal attack on the prime minister, BSP chief Mayawati Thursday said how can one expect Narendra Modi to respect women when he cannot do so for his wife.

Addressing an election rally here along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and RLD's Ajit Singh, Mayawati targeted Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, saying the "government of guru and chela (disciple)" would be ousted from power on May 23, the day results of Lok Sabha polls would be announced.

The BSP again alleged that women in the BJP are scared of their husbands meeting the prime minister fearing they might also "abandon their wives".

"As the election is coming to an end Modi now remembers women and talk about giving them respect....How can one expect Modi, who cannot respect his wife, to do so for mothers and sisters," Mayawati said.

She alleged Modi is also "troubling" West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In a press statement earlier this week, Mayawati had said, "I have come to know that in BJP, women leaders get scared when they see their husbands going near PM Modi. They fear that like Modi they might also abandon their wives."