Did not mean disrespect to former BJP leader's family: BSP

Pushed to the backfoot on charges of abusing the wife, mother, sister and minor daughter of expelled BJP leader Daya Shankar Singh, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Friday clarified that it did not mean to target his family.

Hours after Singh's mother lodged an FIR against BSP chief Mayawati and her party leaders Naseemuddin Siddiqui and two others, Siddiqui, at a hurriedly convened press conference, said that they have respect for women and the slogans raised at the agitation on Thursday did not mean disrespect to family members.

Asked him why banners at the sit-in called Singh a 'Kutta' (dog), Siddiqui said that the remark of Singh could not have come from a human being. Meanwhile, the BJP which had expelled Singh on Thursday, now has decided to stage statewide demonstrations on Saturday.

The BSP also firmed up its stand on arrest of Singh and said if he was not put behind bars within the 36-hour deadline set by the police, statewide agitations will take place, except in Lucknow.

--IANS

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