BJP embarrassed as UP party worker makes poster showing rival party leaders as Kauravas

The BJP has dissociated itself from a campaign poster created by a party worker in Varanasi that depicts leaders of rival parties BSP, Congress, SP and AIMIM as Kauravas involved in the 'chir haran' of Uttar Pradesh and new state party president Keshav Prasad Maurya as Lord Krishna.

The poster created by Rupesh Pandey based on stories of the Mahabharata created a ruckus in Uttar Pradesh as Samajwadi Party workers set copies alight and burned an effigy of Maurya, while the Congress alleged that after using the name of Lord Ram, BJP is now using Krishna for "personal gains".

Pandey had planned to use these posters to welcome Maurya to Varanasi on Friday evening, but was stopped by the party's local unit, according to The Indian Express. He had, however, already released the posters on social media.

The posters depict BSP chief Mayawati as responsible for corruption, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for poverty and unemployment, UP minister Azam Khan for communalism, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for hooliganism, and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi for sedition, all involved in what Pandey said is the 'chir haran' of Uttar Pradesh.

Maurya, depicted as Lord Krishna, 'protects the state', said Pandey.

Sanjay Bhardwaj, the BJP's Kashi region media head said that the party has no association with Pandey's posters. "The party's regional president, Laxman Acharya ji has also said that he will probe the intention behind the posters' content," said Bhardwaj.

Pandey also says that the posters are his "personal opinion".

The Congress's state communication department chairman Satyadeo Tripathi said: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to hide his shortcomings by inciting religious sentiments. Congress condemns the posters. After misusing Ram's name for the past 21 years, they are now misusing Krishna's."