Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Sadhana Singh regrets saying ‘Mayawati worse than eunuch’

Sadhana Singh, a BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh, released a statement on Sunday saying that  she regrets making a controversial remark on BSP supremo Mayawati on Saturday. Singh came under severe criticism from allies and opposition leaders alike for calling Mayawati a “blot on womankind” and “worse than an  eunuch”.

Singh made the controversial remarks on Saturday while referring to the infamous incident when Mayawati was assaulted by Samajwadi Party (SP) workers in a Lucknow guest house in 1995.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) said it would formally issue a notice to Singh seeking explanation.

“Former Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati sold her dignity for power and joined hands with those who disrespected her... She is a blot on womankind. Cannot say if she can be counted among men or women, she is worse than an eunuch,” she had said.

Condemning her remarks, Union minister and Republican Party of India president Ramdas Athawale told a presser in Lucknow on Sunday that such personal comments should not be made.

Bahunjan Samaj Party (BSP) leader SC Misra tweeted that BJP leaders have “lost their mental balance after the BSP-SP tie-up” which, he said, threatened to rock the ruling party’s boat. Misra termed Sadhana Singh “mentally ill”.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also denounced the BJP MLA for using derogatory remarks against Mayawati. “The remark smacks of desperation and nervousness among BJP leaders and is an affront to all women,” he tweeted.

The Congress, cold-shouldered by Mayawati and Yadav in UP, described the comments as “disturbing”.

“One may have differences on issues and ideas but it 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,” Congress’ Priyanka Chaturvedi said. 

NCW REACTION

• The National Commission for Women (NCW) said it would issue a notice seeking an explanation from her. 
   
• “Such derogatory statements are unbecoming of a leader. NCW has taken suo motu cognisance,” an NCW member said.

— With agency inputs