Pushed to the wall over derogatory statement of party functionary against BSP chief Mayawati, the state BJP stripped Dayashanker Singh of the vice-president’s post but was allowed to continue as a member of the BJP.
State BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya confirmed, "Singh's remark is not acceptable and therefore we have removed him from all party posts."
Dayashankar Singh, who had lost the Council polls twice in a row, had compared BSP leader Mayawati to a sex worker for selling Assembly tickets. The leader gave the statement before the media at Mau on Tuesday.
later on realising his blunder, Singh tendered an unconditional apology. He said, “Mayawati is a top leader and I have great respect for her. I did not make a personal comment. I was only referring to the irregularities in the distribution of tickets when she fixes rate for Assembly tickets."
“If she or anyone is hurt then I apologize. I have respect for her and I say sorry,” he said.
The matter also found mention in the Rajya Sabha, forcing Arun Jaitley to intervene and condemn the statement of his party leader.
BSP general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra announced that the party will lodge an FIR against Dayashankar Singh and drag him to the court besides taking all action possible against him.
Meanwhile state BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya issued a strict warning to party leaders asking them to be disciplined and cautious in making any statement.“Party leaders should not use any foul language against any other leader,” he said.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened around the state BJP headquarters in the apprehension of a backlash from BSP workers. Official said that adequate security personnel have been deployed near the BJP office in view of the threat and possibility of protest by BSP supporters.
In July 2009, BSP supporters had torched the house of the then Congress state chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi for making derogatory remark against Mayawati, who was the Chief Minister of the state at that time.
BSP supporters have ealier staged protest against media houses and other people who made any derogatory comment against Mayawati.