UP BJP sacks Dayashankar Singh as vice-president after his crass remarks against Mayawati

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has removed Dayashankar Singh as vice-president of the party’s Uttar Pradesh unit, for his crass and disgusting remarks about Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati, who, he said , was worse than a prostitute.

According to media reports, Dayashankar had made the remarks in Mau on Wednesday. “Even a prostitute fulfils her commitment after she is paid. But Mayawati sells party tickets to anyone who paid her the highest amount. If someone gives her Rs 1 crore for a ticket she will give it to other person who is offering Rs 2 crore,” Singh said. “Mayawati has become worse than a prostitute and abandons the ideals of Kanshi Ram,” he said. Singh was made the vice-president of the party’s state unit on 12 July.

Following a hue and cry, with several politicos and activists lambasting the party and  Singh for his comment, the BJP announced on Wednesday evening that it had removed him from all party posts.

“Dayashankar Singh’s remarks were not acceptable. Therefore, we have removed him from all party posts,” said Keshav Prasad Maurya, BJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit’s president.

Dayashankar Singh's remark not acceptable, therefore we have removed him from all party posts: Keshav Prasad Maurya pic.twitter.com/yKRhL2wkAt

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 20, 2016

Interestingly, the axe fell on Dayashankar after he issued an apology to Mayawati, saying he would never think of the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister in such a demeaning manner. “Mayawati is a big leader. She has reached here after a lot of struggle. I can’t say such a thing about anyone. I apologise for my remarks,” he had said.

Mayawati is a big leader,I can't say such a thing about anyone.I apologize for my remark:UP BJP VP Dayashankar Singh pic.twitter.com/ozkWOrNqaP

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 20, 2016

I can't even think about Mayawatiji in such a way. She has reached here after a lot of struggle: Dayashankar Singh pic.twitter.com/knZak1lFVX

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 20, 2016

Dayashankar’s remarks had raised a storm in the Parliament, with several Rajya Sabha members, including women MPs, calling for his ouster. Deputy chairperson PJ Kurien said the House wants the government to ensure that stringent action is taken against the BJP leader, as per law, for his “unforgivable” comments.

Leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, DMK’s Kanimozhi, Congress’ Kumari Selja and Renuka Chowdhury, TK Rangarajan of CPI-M and Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP all sought action against him. Leader of the House Arun Jaitley offered regret on behalf of the party and said the remarks were highly condemnable.

Will lodge an FIR against Dayashankar Singh and drag him in court, will do whatever possible: Satish Mishra,BSP pic.twitter.com/dHfokGIQok

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 20, 2016

“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 persons. I personally express regret to Mayawatiji and we are with you on the issue of protecting dignity,” Jaitley said.

A visibly agitated Mayawati, who was present in the House, thanked Jaitley and all other members for their condemnation of Singh’s remarks, but demanded that BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah discuss the matter and expel Singh from the party and take action against him.

“His (Singh’s) remarks apply for his sister and daughter and not for me. The whole country will not forgive BJP. people will come on the streets.”

Mayawati said the remarks reflected the party’s “capitalistic mindset” and asserted that never in her political career had she used any derogatory or personal remarks against her adversaries or questioned their character though there could be idealogical differences.

The BSP chief said she represented the most oppressed and exploited people of the country and had dedicated her whole life to them. She said the BSP always collected funds from the poor to carry forward the movement started by Kanshi Ram so that it does not have to rely on capitalists. “On my birthday, I have told my supporters not to give me any expensive gifts like gold and jewelery but make economic contributions to the party,” she said.

Mayawati attacked the BJP, saying it was jittery by BSP and its anti-Dalit mindset has been exposed as it has still not sacked a minister who had compared Dalits to dogs, an apparent reference to Minister of State VK Singh. As the uproar over the issue continued, House was adjourned for the day.

(With inputs from PTI)