Bhopal: A BSP MLA from Uttar Pradesh has arranged travel to the Kumbh Mela for "mostly upper caste" pilgrims from his constituency in the last two days. The Kumbh Mela will end tomorrow.
Ten days ago, BJP chief Amit Shah took a holy dip in river Shipra with Dalit sadhus during the ongoing Kumbh Mela at Ujjain and later had a meal with them. It was seen as a part of BJP's attempt to woo the Dalits, especially in view of next year's Uttar Pradesh polls.
Over the last two days, around 6,000 pilgrims from UP's Balia district have arrived in Ujjain by two special trains, booked by Umashanker Singh, MLA from Rasara in the district.
"I had booked two special trains from my constituency and around 6,000 pilgrims, mostly upper caste Hindus, were sent to Kumbh. They took the holy dip yesterday and today," said Singh, who is known to be close to the BSP supremo Mayawati.
This was a 'Sadbhavana (goodwill) yatra', he added. "The pilgrims included 80 per cent upper caste Hindus. We sent people of all castes on pilgrimage. We want to unite the society and not to divide it like BJP," he told PTI on phone. "We are neither casteist nor communal," he said.
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