BJP leader calls Mayawati 'worse than a prostitute', Jaitley apologises

New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati was at the receiving end of abusive remarks on Wednesday from BJP vice President in Uttar Pradesh, Daya Shankar Singh.

Singh 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."

Singh, who has been a general secretary of the party in UP, had lost the legislative council elections last month.

Mayawati shot back at BJP for Singh’s remarks, saying they were proof that the saffron party was frustrated with the rise of BSP in Uttar Pradesh. She added that ‘people always address me as sister. Singh has abused his sister and daughter, not me. People will never forgive BJP for this insult.’

She demanded the arrest of Daya Shankar Singh, warning that any violence resulting from his remarks 'will not be on my conscience'.

Singh later apologised for his remarks, but was sacked from his post as the UP vice-president.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley expressed regret for Daya Shankar Singh’s remarks in Parliament.

"I express personal regret. I associate with your dignity and stand with you," Mr Jaitley said to Mayawati in the Rajya Sabha.

The fresh embarrassment for the BJP came even as the Opposition including the Congress sought to grill the government on the attack on Dalits in a Gujarat town, for allegedly skinning a dead cow. The Opposition also attacked the government on the violence and unrest in the Kashmir Valley following the killing of militant Burhan Wani.