UP: Rebel BJP MP Phule declares support to Mahagathbandhan

LUCKNOW: Just a day before SP and BSP were to formally announce their alliance, rebel BJP MP from Bahraich Savitri Bai Phule on Friday said that she was willing to support the grand alliance that would defeat the saffron party and stop Narendra Modi from becoming the PM again after the general elections due in the next few months. Phule’s attack came even as the BJP kicked off its two day national council meeting in New Delhi to roll out the blue print of its strategy to take on the united opposition in the run up to Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters, Phule accused the BJP and the RSS of hatching a conspiracy to provide reservation to SC/ST and OBC on economic grounds on the lines of 10% reservation meant for the upper caste. She said that the constitutional amendment paving way for quota for the upper caste was also done on the directions of the RSS.

Calling 10% reservation for upper caste a poll gimmick, Phule questioned if ruling BJP wanted to label the upper caste as "untouchables". The BJP MP, who has been at odds with the party for quite some time categorically accused the saffron party of stopping her from taking up issues pertaining to dalits.

"Many BJP MPs used to tell me that this was a party of upper caste and therefore there was no room for taking up issues pertaining to Dalits," she said. Her statement came in contrast to statement of PM Modi, who during a rally in Agra said that the reservation to upper caste was given without touching the quota meant for SC/STs and OBCs.