Lucknow: Taking strong action, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expelled Dayashanker Singh on Wednesday night for derogatory remark against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati.
Earlier today, BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya had said that Singh, now-sacked party state vice president, had been relieved of all responsibilities with immediate effect.
Dayashankar Singh kicked up a huge controversy with his comments that “Mayawati is breaking the dream of Kanshi Ram into pieces. Mayawati is selling tickets like a...."
"Mayawati gives tickets for Rs one crore and if there is someone who can give Rs 2 crore than she sells it for Rs 2 crore within an hour. If someone is ready to give Rs 3 crore by the evening, she gives the ticket to him. She is even worse than...," Singh had said.
Meanwhile, a case was registered against Singh at the Hazratganj police station by Mewa Lal Gautam who said that his statement had violated the honour of a Dalit woman and had tried to foment trouble and tension between two communities.
The police lodged the FIR against Singh under Sections 153-A, 504 and 509 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Rajya Sabha witnesses uproar over BJP leader's remarks
Rajya Sabha today witnessed an uproar over alleged derogatory remarks by Singh.
There was all-round condemnation of Singh for his remarks by MPs including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, DMK's Kanimozhi, TMC's Derek O'Brien, Congress' Kumari Selja and Renuka Chowdhury, TK Rangarajan of CPI(M) and Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP and demands were made for action against him.
Azad demanded that the person be arrested and added that "someone with such a mentality should have no place in any party or hold any office in any party."
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa came out in support of BSP supremo Mayawati.
Taking note of the derogatory remark by Dayashankar Singh against Mayawati, the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh said "appropriate action" will be taken against him by the state government.
Mayawati's reaction
The BSP supremo said: "I did not marry and considered the entire country's oppressed as my family. I have always followed my mentor Kanshi Ram's advice to take (donation) from the underprivileged and not industrialists," she said, adding that the BJP was perturbed by the huge support her party was getting in Uttar Pradesh.
BJP condemns Singh's remarks
Leader of the House Arun Jaitley expressed regret saying the remarks were highly condemnable but Mayawati.
"It is highly condemnable that a political leader uses such words against a prominent woman leaders. I regret the use of such words and will ensure that the matter is taken up by the concerned. I personally express regret to Mayawatiji. I associate our dignity with yours and stand with you," Jaitley said in Rajya Sabha.
As the issue snowballed into a major embarrassment for BJP, Dayashankar Singh apologised for his remarks. He claimed it was "slip of tongue" and that he respected Mayawati. But it proved to be too late for Singh as state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya announced that he has been relieved of all posts and said "such language has no place in the party".
