Abrasive comments by BSP workers against sacked BJP leader Dayashankar Singh and female members of his family while registering their ire against the latter provided the right ammunition to the BJP which was pushed to the back foot tillThursday.
While Singh's mother and sister lodged an FIR against senior BSP leaders including former CM Mayawati, BJP leaders condemned the foul language used by the Blue Brigade leaders during the protest at Hazratganj on Thursday.
Absconding since an FIR was lodged against him on Wednesday night, Singh is yet to be traced even after the expiry of the 36-hour ultimatum handed out by the BSP while calling off their stir on Thursday. The police raided at least 20 places across the state but could not net the BJP leader.
Meanwhile, Singh's family members were agitated over the derogatory language used by BSP leaders against his wife and daughter and they decided to register a cross FIR against the foul-mouthed BSP leaders.
Singh's wife Swati Singh alleged, "Such threatening by the BSP leaders against a woman and a girl also amounts to a crime like my husband has been accused of. The BSP people were publicly saying 'Unki patni, beti ko pesh karo'. This has forced my 12-year-old daughter into a trauma."
She added, "An FIR must be lodged against all those abusing us on record. These people should be held guilty for mentally harassing my young daughter who is now afraid to attend her school. If anything happens to my family, the BSP chief Mayawati should be held responsible."
"My husband was stipped of his post and expelled from the BJP for his utterances. Besides, an FIR was lodged against him despite him apologising. But still Mayawatiji is not satisfied. What these BSP leaders said on Thursday, should they not be condemned and should such people not be removed from the BSP akin to my husband IJ" she queried.
Swati Singh pointed out, "Mayawati said that Dayashankar had insulted a woman. Agreed. But what would she say about the act of her party members. It is unfortunate that BSP which follows Dr Ambedkar's ideology abused me and my daughter in fornt of the statue of Ambedkar. The leader had great respect for women but the BSP people do not follow him," she said.
She also took strong exception to a BSP leader's announcement of paying Rs 50 lakh to anyone who gets her husband's tongue.
Swati Singh said that her husband has not contacted her or any family members after the FIR was lodged against him on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile in Ballia, supporters of Singh's brother Dharmendra Singh created ruckus at a police station on Thursday night after he was detained and quizzed about his brother for close to four hours.
In lucknow, BJP state general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak also questioned the act of BSP leaders against the women kin of Singh.
"We have punished Singh by sacking him from the party even after he tendered an apology. It remains to be seen what Mayawati does to her supporters and leaders who used foul language against women members of Singh's family. Are the BSP leaders free to say anything against women," he questioned.
Pathak said that the rule of law is the same for everyone. "If Singh could be booked for his derogatory language, then why not the BSP leadersIJ" he argued.