The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday sacked the vice president of its Uttar Pradesh unit after he compared Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati to a sex worker, reported ANI. Dayashankar Singh had said the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister was "worse than a prostitute" when it comes to selling party tickets. He later apologised after facing severe criticism from several leaders, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Jaitley had said the party will look into the matter, and that it "stands with" Mayawati on the issue.

Dayashankar Singh had accused Mayawati of giving away tickets for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly election to anyone who paid her more money. He said, “Even a prostitute fulfils her commitment after she is paid. But Mayawati sells party tickets to anyone who paid her the highest amount. She has become worse than a prostitute and abandons the ideals of Kanshi Ram."

The party's state unit chief Keshav Maurya had apologised for the remark and said such words should not be used. He also said the BJP would take action if Singh did not apologise. In response to Singh, Mayawati said the BJP was frustrated with her party's rising strength in the state.

The issue was brought up in Parliament as well, where she had said Singh should be arrested for his remarks. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Wednesday after uproar caused by the incident, as leaders from several parties spoke against Singh's remarks and demanded his arrest.