Madhya Pradesh's BJP in-charge P Muralidhar Rao sparked controversy on Monday. In a media briefing, the BJP state general secretary said that people from the Brahmin and Baniya communities
are in his "pockets."
Following his statement, taking a swipe at BJP and its ethics, opposition Congress demanded an apology. Rao, however, retaliated by saying his statement has been “distorted” by the opposition.
The row erupted as Mr Rao in a press conference at the BJP's state headquarters in Bhopal said that the party and its governments will pay special attention to scheduled tribes and
scheduled castes. “Not as vote banks, but to address issues such as backwardness, employment, and education,” Rao added.
Journalists present at the media briefing seeking agenda behind BJP's caste politics questioned Mr Rao about the perception that the BJP is a "Brahmin-Baniya" political
party and he is alleging a special focus on SCs/STs at a time when the party's slogan is "sabka saath, sabka vikas".
In response, the BJP leader, pointing to the pockets of his kurta, said, "Brahmins and Baniyas are in my pockets. When the majority of our workers and vote bank were from these
sections, you (media) labelled us a Brahmin and Baniya party."
Mr Rao stated that the BJP is working to gain the trust of all segments of society.
"Whenever the number of workers or voters of a certain section is higher as compared to others, people say the party belongs to them. But, we are working hard on increasing representation
of other segments such as ST and SC. We are reaching out to all, making BJP a party for everyone," the BJP leader stated.
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Mr Rao further claimed that the BJP does not exclude any group from its representation, including Brahmins and Baniyas, but rather includes those who have been left out.
Meanwhile, Rao’s six second video in which he could be heard saying ‘Brahmins and Baniyas are in pocket’ went viral. As soon as the video landed on social media platforms,
State Congress president Kamal Nath slammed the BJP on Rao’s remarks.
The former Chief Minister said in a statement that the BJP's slogan is "sabka saath sabka vikas," and that his party's general secretary claims the Brahmins and Baniyas
are in his pockets.
"The BJP is claiming ownership of these groups, which is an insult to them. What level of respect is bestowed to these classes, whose leaders were instrumental in the formation of the BJP? BJP leaders have become arrogant due to power," he stated.
"A party that talks about sabka saath, sabka vikas is now focusing on power in certain sections," he said.