Paswan slams Mayawati over her attack on Modi

Union minister and BJP ally Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday hit out at BSP chief Mayawati, who claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not born in a backward caste, saying it exposed her lack of knowledge about the Constitution.

The Lok Janshakti Party president and Dalit leader said Modi's caste was added in the Other Backward Classes in 1994 when he held no power and was little known. He added that the list of castes given reservation is frequently updated.

Even Yadavs in Haryana were brought in the OBC list long after their caste was categorised as backward in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, he said.

"Mayawati was a chief minister and she should know about it. Her claim only exposes her ignorance about the Constitution," he said.

The BSP chief had alleged that Modi was a "fake" backward caste leader as he was not born in a backward caste.

Paswan also mocked her over her claim that Modi will no longer be prime minister after the Lok Sabha poll results are announced on May 23, saying the writing is clear on the wall that he will return as prime minister.

"Modi is and will remain prime minister. Instead of him, Mayawati should be concerted about her fate," he said taking a swipe at her.

The LJP leader also took a dig at the Rashtriya Janata Dal over its leaders' criticism of 10 per cent quota for the general category poor, wondering how they will seek votes from upper castes after opposing reservation for them.

He was apparently referring to RJD candidates for Lok Sabha polls like Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Jagdanand Singh, who need support of a section of upper castes to ensure their victory.