Even RSS is deserting Modi govt: Mayawati

I cannot spot them [RSS volunteers] anywhere in the election doing hard work with their ‘jholaas’ [bags], thanks to the nonfulfilment of promises and the intense resentment by the people. As a result of this, [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi is sweating

MAYAWATI, BSP chief

LUCKNOW: Bahujan Sajam Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Tuesday called the Narendra Modiled government a sinking ship, which even its ideologue Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is deserting, and said the country needs a real prime minister, not a ”chaiwala” (tea vendor) or a “chowkidar” (watchman).

She also attacked the “fashion” among politicians of visiting temples during the poll campaign and said the election commission should take note.

“Narendra Modi government boat is sinking, and everyone knows this,” she said at a press conference in Lucknow.

“The biggest example of this is that the RSS is also deserting them,” she said, claiming that the RSS workers are missing from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) campaign.

“I cannot spot them anywhere in the election doing hard work with their ‘ j holaas’ ( bags), thanks to the non-fulfilment of promises and the intense resentment by the people,” Mayawati said.

“As a result of this, Modi is sweating,” she claimed.

The BSP supremo said the country will not be “fooled” by “dual personalities” any more.

“The country has already seen a number of leaders in the form of sevak (servant), mukhya sevak (chief servant), chaiwala and chowkida, who indulge in misleading the people,” she said about the terms the BJP often refers to the prime minister with.

“But the country now needs a real prime minister who can run it in accordance with the spirit of welfare in the Constitution,” she said.

“The public has already been fooled by people of dual character, and will not be fooled anymore,” she told reporters.

Mayawati took exception to political leaders visiting temples during t he period t hey are banned from campaigning by the poll watchdog.

“If someone is banned from campaigning for violating the model code of conduct and he visits public places and temples to take part in prayers, and it is publicised in a big way by the media, then it should also be banned,’ she said.

“The election commission needs to take some steps in this direction as well and ban it,” she said.

Mayawati appeared to be referring to Uttar Pradesh chief minster Yogi Adityanath’s visits to temples during the period he was banned from electioneering over the “Ali-bajrang Bali” comment he made at a rally.

She demanded the EC should include the money spent on roadshows and temple visits in the election expenditure by the party.

Addressing a rally in UP’S Ballia on Tuesday, the prime minister hit out at the BSP and its alliance partner Samajwadi Party, saying that the two former rivals will be at each other’s throats the moment election results were out.

Citing a purported clash between SP and BSP workers in Ghazipur, Modi said, “The workers of SP and BSP were hitting each others, hurling abuses, tearing each others clothes, and the entire country witnessed this. The elections are yet to be over, and they have started set