In a swift damage-control exercise, the BJP on Wednesday removed its newly appointed vice-president in Uttar Pradesh, Daya Shankar Singh, from all party posts after he invoked the analogy of prostitution while accusing Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati of selling the party ticket to the highest bidder. PTI reported party sources as saying that he had been expelled.
Late in the evening, the police filed an FIR against Mr. Singh under the SCs/STs Act and Sections 153A, 504 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code on a complaint lodged by a BSP office-bearer.
The BJP action came moments after the Rajya Sabha, which unanimously condemned the objectionable remarks, witnessed uproarious scenes, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House for the day.
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The issue was raised in the Upper House by Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, who said though his party had political differences with the BSP, it would not allow such remarks to be made against a woman who has been four times Chief Minister. He said the choice of words by the Uttar Pradesh BJP leader reflected his mindset.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said he was not aware of the incident till Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi apprised him of it.
“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,” Mr. Jaitley said.
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Ms. Mayawati demanded the arrest of the BJP leader. “What that BJP leader has said, he said it not to me but to his sister and his daughter because people treat me like their daughter and sister. The country will not forgive the BJP for encouraging such people,” she said.
Ms. Mayawati reminded the members that she had never used foul language against her opponents.
Mr. Daya Shankar Singh targeted Ms. Mayawati in Mau, eastern Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday, saying that “if someone gives her Rs. 1 crore she will give him the ticket, but after an hour if another person offers her Rs. 2 crore she will give it to him. Later in the evening, if somebody else approaches her with Rs. 3 crore, she will give the ticket to him.”
Mr. Singh later apologised for his offensive remarks against Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati. “I can never think such things about Mayawatiji. She is a big leader and has reached where she is today after a lot of struggle. I respect her a lot and seek apology.”
BJP State president Keshav Prasad Maurya condemned Mr. Singh’s remarks and asked his party leaders and office-bearers to strictly maintain dignity while making statements about political opponents.
“The BJP apologises if someone’s sentiments are hurt by the comments. It was not Daya Shankarji’s intention to hurt or dishonour anybody,” BJP state general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak told The Hindu.
The Rajya Sabha was seized of the matter even as the Opposition was trying to corner the government over the thrashing of four Dalit men in Gujarat for allegedly skinning a dead cow.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said the entire House unanimously condemned the remarks and asked the government to ensure that strictest action was taken against the person concerned.