Relations between the BJP and its alliance partner — the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) — touched a new low with Uttar Pradesh BJP president Mahendra Nath Pandey publicly calling an MLA of the SBSP a "chor" (thief).
Pandey's remark came at a function in Ajgara Assembly constituency in the state's Chandauli district, about 300 kilometres from here, after inaugurating a development project in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma on Tuesday.
Incidentally, SBSP MLA Kailash Sonker, who was called a "thief" by Pandey, represents Ajgara in the state Assembly.
The BJP president's remark came when journalists wanted to know as to why Sonker's name, who is the local MLA, was not on the foundation stone.
"Maine uska naam isliye nahi likhwaya kyonki woh chor nikal gaya, (I did not get his name written on the stone as he is a thief)," Pandey said.
Reacting to Pandey's remark, Sonker said that it reflected the BJP leader's mentality toward Dalits.
"They can say anything about Dalits. The next Lok Sabha polls in 2019 will prove who is a thief and who is honest," he added.
SBSP president Om Prakash Rajbhar has also been spweing venom against BJP leaders, MLAs and other ministers.
Pandey had warned Rajbhar against criticising the BJP and said that the saffron party could sever its ties with the SBSP if Rajbhar did not mend his ways.
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