She also sought votes for him, saying he was a "real leader" of the backwards "unlike" Prime Minister Narendra Modi whom she dubbed as "farzi" (fake). After two years in a coalition government in Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP had parted ways in 1995 when Mayawati was allegedly assaulted by SP cadres in VVIP Guest House in Lucknow. The two leader did not see each other eye to eye ever since.

Addressing a rally jointly with the BSP supremo in the SP citadel of Mainpuri from where he is contesting, Yadav called his party workers and supporters to "always respect Mayawati ji", reflecting the changed atmosphere.