“The leaders of mahaswarthbandhan [the grand selfish alliance] are trying to mislead the people on the issue of reservation… As we all know that reservation cannot be given on the basis of religion and the Supreme Court has already said reservation could not exceed more than 50 per cent…,” he said at two meetings.

The Nitish Kumar-led grand alliance comprises the RJD and the Congress.

At Buxar, he said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad are planning to “take away a five per cent share in the reservation for SC/ST and Other Backward Classes and give it to a particular community. But I will oppose their move,” he said. “These leaders are hatching an evil plan to take away five per cent of the reservation for Dalits, Mahadalits and Backward and Extremely Backward Class people for the benefit of a particular community… but I come from an extremely backward class and understand the pain of being born to a poor woman.”

Mr. Modi pointed out that Mr. Lalu Prasad had opposed the women’s reservation Bill in Parliament. “Why did they oppose the Bill and why did [Congress president] Sonia Gandhi take their support,” he asked. “For reservation, I’ll put even my life at stake.”