The Bharatiya Janata Party 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 Bahujan Samajwadi Party chief Mayawati.
A first information report under Sections 153A, 504 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 310 under the SC/ST act was also lodged against Singh.
The BJP had also sacked Singh from all party posts after his derogatory remarks sparked massive uproar and pushed the saffron party in a tight corner.
UP BJP 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.
The 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.
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 demanded that Singh be expelled and warned the government in the Rajya Sabha that she will not be responsible if people hit the streets.
She was joined by leaders from other parties, including the Congress.
Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha P J Kurien said that 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 the House Arun Jaitley got up to express regret, saying the remarks were highly condemnable but Mayawati was not convinced and demanded that he be expelled from the party and strong action taken against him.
“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.
