"I sustained a living by selling tea. My mother used to wash utensils in other people's homes", said Narendra Modi today as he invoked his humble background to tell voters how he understood the pain of poverty.

Addressing a poll meeting here, Modi, BJP's prime ministerial candidate, said he understands the plight of the poor very well. "I have been a follower of Ambedkar myself because  No one will understand your problems better than me".