Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday identified himself as a backward-caste man and accused Rahul Gandhi of abusing the entire community with his “why do all thieves have Modi in their names” remark.

Modi’s comment came on a day the BJP accused the Congress of also being anti-Dalit, appearing to be playing the caste card to woo the marginalised sections, fearful that large numbers of their voters were leaning towards the regional parties.

“Recently, the naamdar (dynast, a reference to Rahul Gandhi) branded an entire community as thieves. He says, ‘Why is everyone having Modi in their name a thief?’” the Prime Minister told an election rally in Maharashtra.

“You abuse me, I will tolerate it. But if you insult the entire backward community, the people and the country will not tolerate it.”

Modi went on to ask the crowd whether the Congress can be “pardoned”.

Rahul had recently asked a crowd in Maharashtra: “Why do all thieves have Modi in their names?”

He had then named the fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who has been accused of bank fraud, and former cricket administrator Lalit Modi, who too is wanted in financial cases. “How many more such Modis will come out?” Rahul asked.

At a news conference in Delhi, the BJP spokesperson seized on a comment by Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot to accuse the Congress of being anti-Dalit.

Gehlot had said earlier in the day that President Ram Nath Kovind was given the top post at the expense of the veteran L.K. Advani because of caste considerations.

“A very low attack by the Congress against the highest constitutional functionary in this country,” BJP parliamentarian G.V.L. Narasimha Rao said.

“Is the Congress against a person who comes from a poor background and belongs to the Dalit community? President Kovind is a highly accomplished individual. This is a condemnable statement. We expect an apology and strong action.”

Rao also referred to Rahul’s “Modi-thief” comment, demanded an apology from the Congress president and urged the poll panel to act.

The BJP’s attempts to play the caste card come at a time several of its leaders have been punished with temporary campaign bans for mouthing provocative remarks linked to religion.

Modi had himself recently referred to religion while campaigning in Theni, Tamil Nadu. He charged the Left and the Muslim League with playing a “dangerous game” on Sabarimala and trying to “strike at the root of faith and aspiration”.

The Opposition has accused Modi as well as BJP president Amit Shah of violating the model code of conduct by bringing religion into their campaign speeches and asked the poll panel to act against them.