BJP no longer 'untouchable', says Ram Vilas Paswan

Kochi: The results of the Jammu and Kashmir polls are an ample indication that BJP was no longer an 'untouchable', Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Ram Vilas Paswan has said.

"The J&K elections has proved that BJP has not remained untouchable for anybody-- PDP or National Conference. All want alliance with BJP," the minister told reporters here.

Paswan, who was here for a review meeting of the functioning of Central Warehousing Corporation and Food Corporation of India (FCI) yesterday, said the fact that BJP managed to get 25 seats in J-K shows that people wanted development.

Asked about BSP supremo Mayawati being unhappy over late Kanshi Ram not being considered for 'Bharat Ratna', country's highest civilian honour, he said Kanshi Ram is not the only Dalit leader.

"Why only Kanshi Ram? He was only a leader of BSP and since he was Mayawati's mentor she wanted him to be considered," Paswan said.