BJP MLA Sadhana Singh apologies for controversial remark against Mayawati
LUCKNOW : BJP’s MLA Sadhna Singh has drawn severe criticism for her shocking comments targeting Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, who among other things, she said, “was a blot on womankind” having sold her “dignity for power”. The controversial statement against BSP chief Mayawati leading to a nationwide outrage, has extended an apology on Sunday.
“She (Mayawati) has no self-respect… she was almost molested earlier and yet… in history, when Draupadi was molested, she took a vow to seek revenge… but this woman, she lost everything, but still sold her dignity for the sake of power. We strongly condemn Mayawati ji. She is a blot on womankind. A woman who gulped insults for comfort and power… is a blot on womankind,” Sadhana Singh, the legislator from Mughalsarai, said at a rally on Saturday.
In a written statement issued to media, the BJP MLA from Mughalsarai , said: My intention was not to disrespect anyone. In my speech, I referred to state guest house episode of June 2, 1995 just to remind BSP chief Mayawati of it and how BJP leaders had rushed to her rescue.”BSP had filed a complaint with the police.
The BJP MLA under fire from NCW and a cross-section of political leaders including the BJP itself over her swipe on Mayawati further said that she expressed regret and extended her apologies if her words had hurt the sentiments of anyone. “Yahan toh ek purv mukh mantri, na mahila lagti hai, na purush. Inko toh apna samman hi nahi samajh aata. Jiska itna bada cheer haran hua. Ek cheer haran hua tha Draupadi ka…” Singh said during an event in Chandauli district on Saturday.
However, the MLA’s swipe drew sharp reactions from the SP and BSP camps with BSP general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra claiming that the MLA’s statement was a reflection of BJP’s mindset. “After SP-BSP alliance, they have lost control over their mental faculty,” said Mishra. State BJP too came out to express its disagreement with the MLA’s remarks. “Such personal attacks on anyone irrespective of party lines should be avoided and are not welcome,” said UP BJP spokesman Rakesh Tripathi .
Meanwhile, Taking suo motu cognisance of the reports, an NCW official said the Commission will send a notice to Ms. Sadhana Singh regarding the statement in question and seek an explanation from her. An official notice would be sent on Monday, the official added.
The comments were an apparent reference to the infamous episode when Ms Mayawati was assaulted by Samajwadi Party workers at a guest house in Lucknow in 1995 that triggered decades of animosity between the two parties. The leaders buried the hatchet last year, and joined hands earlier this month to beat the BJP in the national elections.
Akhilesh Yadav strongly condemned BJP lawmaker Sadhana Singh’s remarks, saying it was an “insult to the women of the country” But days after the alliance was announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi taunted her for “forgetting” the guest house episode while allying with the Samajwadi Party.
Akhilesh Yadav, who had declared that “insulting Mayawati ji is like insulting me” shortly after formalising their alliance, strongly condemned the lawmaker’s remarks. They are a sign of BJP’s moral bankruptcy and frustration. It is also insulting for the women of this country,” he said.
The Congress, cold-shouldered by Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav for the alliance in UP, described the lawmaker’s comments as “disturbing”. “One may have differences on issues and ideas but it is disturbing: That this lady represents the ruling party in UP-BJP (not surprising) -To hear a lady speak in such a derogatory way about another lady -To see people in the audience cheering such words,” Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted.
This is not the first time that a BJP leader has made objectionable remarks against Mayawati. In 2016, a senior UP BJP leader Dayashankar Singh was expelled for using “filthy language” against Mayawati. His wife Swati Singh, who defended him at that time, is now a minister in the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in the state.
(With Inputs from Agencies).
