No caste reference, just political metaphor: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday denied having made any caste reference in an election advertisement that mocked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and accused AAP of giving it a religious and casteist connotation.

"It is extremely sad that certain political parties are trying to convert a political statement. An expression, used to represent that political party's ideology, has been sought to be converted on religious ground," BJP leader Piyush Goyal said here Monday.

"This is a political commentary on their (AAP) ideology, that is anarchy. The term has been metaphorically used but it is being twisted and misused by the AAP," he said.

"It is a conspiracy of AAP to give religious and casteist tone to smooth election process," the BJP leader said, adding that BJP will approach the Election Commission on the issue.

The AAP has also said it will complain to the poll panel on the issue.

The advertisement featured a caricature of Kejriwal, saying he will disrupt the Republic Day parade, and also ask for a VIP pass next year. It used the term "upadravi gotra" or destructive subcaste alluding to Kejriwal, the former Delhi chief minister and AAP chief. - IANS