Narendra Modi a leader of backward class, says Amit Shah

Attempting an image makeover, BJP general secretary and in-charge of UP Amit Shah projected Narendra Modi as a leader of backward class on Saturday and said construction of Ram temple was never an election issue.

"Construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya was not included in the election issue of the party," he said in Deoria.

Shah said construction of the temple was "aspiration" of the party and its workers, but they do not consider it to be an election issue.

Meanwhile in Ballia, while addressing party workers, he said that Modi belonged to backward caste and if he becomes prime minister of the country it would be a matter of pride for the section.

Attacking the ruling SP government, Shah claimed that not only its popularity has dipped in two years of power, but there was an anti-government wave.

He claimed that the UP government would fall within six months of BJP emerging as the largest party in the Lok Sabha elections. Shah said that after that BJP would form the government in the state.

Taking a dig at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal he said that a former income tax officer cannot be an 'aam aadmi'.