Ranchi, Aug. 15 -- Uttarakhand Congress leader Kumar Raja on Saturday accused the BJP of "playing politics over dead bodies" while defending the decision to stop Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto from leaving Sadar Hospital to participate in a Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi.

He stressed that Mahto's health should take "priority over political point-scoring".

"BJP is a party that plays politics over dead bodies; they are uneducated and boorish," Raja said, reacting to the controversy over Mahto's detention at the hospital.

Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since August 2, entered its 14th day on Saturday. He was admitted to Sadar Hospital following a Ranchi Vidhan Sabha Gherao march that ...