BSP to make BJP MLA's remarks on Maya a SC pride issue

The BSP has decided to make BJP lawmaker Sadhna Singh's reported ''offensive'' remarks on BSP supremo Mayawati and ''electoral issue'' by linking it with ''Scheduled Caste pride''.

According to sources in the BSP, Mayawati, who chaired a meeting of party coordinators in Lucknow on Tuesday, directed party leaders and workers to ''corner'' the saffron party on the issue.

''So far, the state police have not lodged an FIR against the MLA... The BJP has also not taken any action against Sadhna Singh,'' a senior BSP leader told DH in Lucknow.

''This is how the state government treats cases concerning atrocities against the Scheduled Castes... When a former chief minister of the state can be treated in this way, one can easily think of the condition of ordinary people from the Scheduled Castes in the state,'' the leader said.

Sources said that the BSP leaders were of the view that it could be turned into a ''poll issue'' to ''expose'' the ''anti-Scheduled Caste'' attitude of the BJP.

The BSP's alliance partner the Samajwadi Party also extended support to the former in this regard.

A few days ago, Sadhna Singh reportedly made an ''offensive'' comment on Mayawati at a public meeting at Chandauli, about 300 kilometre from Lucknow.

Though a complaint had been filed with the police in this regard, the latter is yet to register an FIR and take action against the lawmaker.

Sadhna Singh was supported by another BJP MLA Surendra Singh.