BSP leader Mayawati has encouraged impoverished voters not to feel compelled to vote for the BJP since they receive free food from the central government. Speaking at an election event, she emphasised that the rations are sponsored by taxpayers and not as a personal favour from Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the BJP.

"Since some time, the BJP-led centre has been providing small amounts of ration to the poor families and during elections, the BJP and RSS people go to villages and ask them to repay the debt by giving their votes to the BJP," Mayawati said.