Rawat was asked to withdraw because he’s Dalit: Modi in Delhi

New Delhi, 26 March 2014

Addressing a campaign rally in Delhi today evening, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi said Congress candidate on Vadodara seat who won primary, was asked to withdraw his candidature, because he was a Dalit.

Modi said, “Congress party selected some Lok Sabha seats for primary elections, and earned admiration. As per Congress Shehzade’s wish, a candidate for Vadodara seat was finalized through such method. But Shehzade’s brain child was found dead suddenly! The decision was chanced. They lost faith in democracy. Internal democracy was just for show off. One who won internal poll within Congress to become candidate, one who demonstrated his strength, one who deserved party ticket was replaced with someone else in overnight decision, he was pressurized and asked to go, because he was a son of Dalit mother, because he was a Dalit.

“I want to ask Congress, is it a crime to be Dalit? Is it a crime to take birth through Dalit mother?”

“Shehzada will need to give answer of this injustice in every street and locality.”

It should be mentioned that Congress party had selected two seats for primary election to choose candidate in Gujarat. Vadodara was one of such seats. Party’s city unit president Narendra Rawat was victorious in primary poll and declared a candidate. Later when Narendra Modi was fielded by BJP on Vadodara seat, the state Congress had issue a statement that it will not change its candidate on Vadodara seat, and Rawat will continue to be party’s candidate.

However yesterday suddenly Rawat was reportedly asked to withdraw by Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad over a phone call. Party soon replaced Madhusudan Mistry as new candidate.