Modi's caste remark doesn't behove PM's position: Ajit Pawar

NCP leader Ajit Pawar Wednesday said since there was no development issue left to talk about, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was raising emotive issues like caste, which does not behove of a person holding the position of PM.

Pawar made the remarks after Modi Wednesday said at a poll rally in Madha in Maharashtra that the Congress and its allies have not kept any shortcomings in abusing of my backward caste.

He also accused the Modi government of creating a divide in the society on the basis of caste and community.

"Today @narendramodi saheb said he was being targeted due to his caste. Since there is no development issue left, talking in this manner to make people emotional does not behove of the prime minister. Our state and the country cannot afford this government's dirty politics in which divide is being created between castes and communities," he tweeted.

The former Maharashtra deputy chief minister made the remark on the micro-blogging site after addressing a poll rally in Baramati constituency.

Modi's remark came days after Congress chief Rahul Gandhi told a poll rally in Maharashtra, "I have a question. Why all the thieves have Modi in their names whether be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Narendra Modi? We don't know how many more such Modis will come out".

The NCP has fielded sitting MP Supriya Sule from the seat. Sule, daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, is contesting the election against the BJP's Kanchan Kul.

Meanwhile, the Congress also attacked the prime minister, saying he was using the "caste card" out of "frustration" stemming from the BJP's imminent defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.

"He is resorting to the caste card sensing the BJP's imminent defeat," state Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant said.