BJP expels Dayashankar from party for remarks against Mayawati

BJP on Wednesday night expelled its Uttar Pradesh unit vice president Dayashankar Singh from the party as it sought to buffer it against the fallout of his derogatory remarks against BSP chief Mayawati.

BJP state President Keshav Prasad Maurya sacked him from the party, hours after he announced that Singh had been relieved from all organisational responsibilities. Expulsion from the party will remain in force for six years in line with the party’s rules, BJP sources said.

Expressing ire at Dayashankar remarks, Mayawati had demanded his arrest. Hours after Dayashankar Singh was sacked by BJP for making derogatory remarks, an FIR was registered against him on the orders of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

UP BJP President Keshav Prasad Maurya had confirmed that Singh was relieved of all posts and said “such language has no place in the party”.

BJP has been wooing dalits, a politically crucial community in Uttar Pradesh which goes to the polls early next year, and Singh’s comments have the potential to damage its efforts. The party hopes that it will be able to contain the damage by acting swiftly against him.

“He has been relieved of all responsibilities in the party. There is no place for such language in BJP,” Maurya said.
As his remarks drew all-round flak, even from his own party, Singh tried to do some damage control by apologising and claimed it was a “slip of tongue”.

A furious Mayawati, who is a dalit leader, demanded that Singh be expelled and warned the government in the Rajya Sabha that she will not be responsible if people hit the streets. Her party threatened to take legal action against the BJP leader.

She was joined by leaders from other parties, including Congress. Union Minister Arun Jaitley immediately distanced the BJP from Singh’s comments and offered his regret.

“It is not right and I condemn the use of such words. I express personal regrets. I associate our dignity with yours and stand with you,” Jaitley said.

(With inputs from PTI)