Amroha, 23 April (HS): Congress Amroha Lok Sabha seat candidate Danish Ali accused the BSP of playing the role of the BJP's B-team in the Lok Sabha elections, claiming that the governing party chose the candidates for the Mayawati-led group. Ali, who is running for Congress in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha after leaving the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), stated that Narendra Modi's criticism of him at a political rally in Amroha last week demonstrated the prime minister's anger.

“ This attack exemplifies the prime minister's displeasure. He is dissatisfied with my efforts to expose the administration on the House floor during the previous five years. They (the BJP) do not want a lawmaker like me to return to the House, and that is why they have placed their entire power against me in the polls,” Ali remarked.

Yogi, the chief minister, is visiting Amroha for the fourth occasion in the last two weeks. A large contingent of BJP leaders are camped in Amroha. I accept it as a challenge, he remarked.

Modi attacked Congress candidate Ali during a poll rally in Amroha last week, claiming that he had reservations to reciting Bharat Mata ki jai. Will a person who cannot accept Bharat Mata ki Jai look nice in the Indian Parliament be permitted to enter? he challenged the audience.

Hitting back at the prime minister, Ali stated that the BJP or Narendra Modi do not own Bharat Mata, and that those who did not hoist the tricolour at their ideological headquarters for over 50 years after Independence should desist from making such statements.

Hindusthan Samachar/Abhishek Awasthi/Manoj