BSP will emerge as 'balance of power' at Centre: Maya

Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday hit out at Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra for his roadshow in Varanasi, saying while lying he (Modi) has not even spared 'Ganga Maa'. Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati said, "It is hard to digest that Mother Ganga will send away BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi to welcome person like Modi. It exposes that he did not spare even Mother 'Ganga Maa' in lying."

While reiterating that 'SP-BJP hand in glove', the Dalit leader said, "The Bharatiya Janata Party and Samajwadi party were hand in gloves to create a communal situation in Varanasi."

Further accusing that BJP supporters from outside were present during Modi's Varanasi rally, Mayawati said, “We have reports that people who were at Modi's roadshow were BJP supporters from outside Varanasi.”

She further said, “Outsiders are present in Varanasi to help Modi on polling day. People have to vote very carefully in Varanasi.” The former UP chief minister then urged the Election Commission to stop roadshows saying they cause inconvenience to the local public. “We urge EC to take steps to stop roadshows as they create inconvenience to public,” Mayawati said. Taking a dig at the Gujarat CM, Mayawati said, “Modi said his silence is powerful. He is right, should be silent, will be good for him and the country.” “Modi's development claims are pure lie. No CM has blown his or her trumpet the way he does,” she said.

The BSP chief further dashed any hopes of a post-poll alliance with the BJP-led NDA, saying BSP won't take any support from any party to come to power.

“We won't take any support from any party to come to power,” Mayawati reiterated. She further claimed that BSP will emerge as "balance of power" at Centre after Lok Sabha polls.

Not ruling out of a possible Third Front government after the counting of the votes are over, Mayawati said, "No party will be able to form govt on its own. We will not take support of NDA or BJP to form govt."

On backward class card row, Maya said, “Modi is trying to to play 'backward card' for political gains. He is indulging in cheap politics. He should reveal his caste.”

“It's now clear that Modi was not born in backward caste as he did not disclose his caste despite my repeated requests,” she added. Polling is scheduled in Varanasi on May 12. This constituency has become a high-profile poll battle featuring BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal and Congress' Ajay Rai among others.