In a letter addressed to the community, Mr. Tomar expressed regret and said he made the remarks at a family event. Political observers believe that the OBC community may have sided with the Congress. I have respected the Kushwaha community all my life and will continue to do so. Mr. Tiwari is learnt to have levelled the allegations at a meeting of senior BJP leaders in Bhopal. Many of those functionaries are considered close to Mr. Mishra and had offered to resign after he was snubbed in candidate selection.