EX-BJP leader Dayashankar released from Mau jail

LUCKNOW: Expelled BJP leader Dayashankar Singh, who was arrested for allegedly making derogatory comments against BSP president Mayawati, was today released from jail, a day after a local court granted him bail. Singh, who was on the run for nine days after his remarks against Mayawati, was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force with the help of Bihar Police from Buxar on July 29 and lodged in Mau jail. After his release from the jail this morning, Dayashankar paid obeisance at a temple and left for Lucknow. Asked about BSP's stand that it will challenge the bail order in the High Court, Dayashankar said, "I accept all the challenges of BSP. I will not talk much. I am going to Lucknow to meet my daughter, ailing mother and family members." Ahead of his release, a number of supporters and BJP workers from Mau and neighbouring districts today gathered outside the jail premises. The FIR against Singh was registered on July 20 under the the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other provisions. The complaint, which was lodged by national secretary of BSP Mewalal Gautam, alleged that Singh's remarks in Mau on July 20 hurt the feelings of BSP workers and the Dalit community across the country and were aimed at provoking them. BJP had sacked Singh, who was recently appointed as the state unit vice president.