Ex-BJP leader Dayashankar arrested for comparing Maya to a 'prostitute'

Dayashankar was arrested in a joint operation by UP and Bihar Police.

Patna: The Uttar Pradesh police on Friday arrested expelled BJP leader Dayashankar Singh from Bihar's Buxar district in a joint operation with local authorities.

The politician, who found himself in the midst of a raging controversy following his comments on BSP supremo Mayawati had been absconding for several days after a local court issued a non-bailable warrant against him.

Read: Dayashankar faces non-bailable warrant for ‘prostitute’ remark against Maya

Comparing Mayawati to a 'prostitute', Singh had said, "Mayawati is selling tickets ..she is such a big leader, a three-time chief minister...but she gives ticket to anyone who gives her Rs 1 crore. If someone comes with 2 crores in the afternoon, she gives him a ticket. If somebody comes with 3 crores in the evening, she dumps the previous candidates and picks him. Today her character is worse than that of a prostitute."

Read: Watch: BSP MLA calls sacked BJP leader ‘illegitimate child’ for making Maya slur

An FIR was lodged against Singh on July 20 at Hazratganj police station in Delhi under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for passing 'derogatory' comments against Mayawati.

The complaint, which was lodged by national secretary of BSP Mewalal Gautam, alleged that Singh's remarks had hurt the feelings of BSP workers and the Dalit community across the country and were aimed at provoking them.

Read: Dayashankar's wife meets UP Guv over alleged abuse by Mayawati’s BSP

Singh, who has been a general secretary of the party in UP, had lost the legislative council elections last month. Despite his apology later, he was sacked from his post as the UP vice-president.

(This article first appeared in Deccan Chronicle)