New Delhi/Lucknow: The BJP drew allround condemnation on Wednesday for its Uttar Pradesh unit vice-president Dayashankar Singh’s derogatory remarks against BSP supremo Mayawati, forcing it to shift to damage-control mode and immediately sack Mr Singh from all party posts, a move seen as intended to placate the dalits. It also caused an uproar in the Rajya Sabha.
The incident is seen as a major blow to the BJP ahead of crucial Assembly elections in the state and its attempts to woo dalits. BSP general secretary Mewa Lal Gautam, meanwhile, lodged an FIR against the sacked state BJP vice-president at a Lucknow police station.
People will hit the streets, warns Mayawati
The BJP drew condemnation from all around on Wednesday for its UP unit vice-president Dayashankar Singh’s derogatory remarks against BSP supremo Mayawati.
The derogatory comments were made in Mau on Tuesday. Parliament witnessed a massive uproar over the issue, with Ms Mayawati demanding the BJP leader’s immediate arrest.
The BJP-led government was forced to condemn the leader and express regret. Union finance minister and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said, “It is not right and I condemn the use of such words, and I will look into this matter. I express personal regrets. I associate our dignity with yours and stand with you.”
Ms Mayawati, who said she was “grateful” to Mr Jaitley and to the Opposition leaders for supporting her, also warned the government that she would not be responsible if the issue caused the people to hit the streets. She demanded Mr Singh’s expulsion.
