The expulsion of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator and one of the party’s prominent Muslim faces, Naseemuddin Siddiqui, and his son has ignited a political storm. The duo was ousted for carrying out “anti-party” activities.
A day after his ouster, Siddiqui on Thursday alleged that party chief Mayawati had demanded Rs 50 crore from him while also accusing her of having made objectionable remarks against Muslims.
Siddiqui, Audio Tapes and a Rs 50 Crore Allegation
“Siddiqui and his son Afzal have been expelled from the party. He has a partnership in a number of slaughterhouses and 'benami' properties in his name. He also took money during assembly polls due to which the party had to suffer defeat”, BSP General Secretary and Rajya Sabha member Satish Chandra said on Wednesday.
Retaliating to the same, Siddiqui while addressing the media, played six audio clippings of his telephonic conversations with Mayawati to back his allegation that money had been demanded from him. A visibly angry Siddiqui claimed that he has 150 audio clipping that could cause an “earthquake”.
“She (Mayawati) was sore after the dismal showing of the BSP in the recent Assembly elections and termed Muslims as betrayers for not voting for the party,” Siddiqui alleged.
In one of the clips, Mayawati can be heard saying, “Jis ko aapne membership ki kitab dilayi thi, usne hisaab nahi kiya hai, us se baat karo”, according to The Indian Express.
Calling Mayawati a Gangster
Accusing Mayawati of having referred to “bearded Muslims as dogs”, Siddiqui claimed he had objected to the remark. He also attacked BSP General Secretary Satish Misra, alleging he was trying to weaken the party.
“The BSP is being knowingly weakened by Mayawati and Anand Kumar (her brother) under a conspiracy by Satish Mishra and Company... people are also of the view that since Mayawati has attained the height which she wanted to reach, she herself wants to end the BSP so that no other among the Dalit Samaj could reach this far,” Siddiqui said.
The former BSP leader said that he had "solid evidence" against Mayawati, but would only speak about the charges levelled against him as of now.
Continuing his tirade, Siddiqui alleged that Mayawati had a criminal gang who could set any leader's house on fire or even get someone murdered. He further asserted that there is a threat to his life.
Siddiqui vs Mayawati: He’s a ‘Blackmailer,’ She Says
However, Mayawati sought to demolish all his allegations, and called him a “habitual blackmailer.”
She alleged that people had told her that Naseemuddin had taken money from business houses promising to do their work once the BSP came to power in the state.
“BSP workers say ever since I made my younger brother vice president, he (Naseemuddin) was very perturbed as he used to claim he was number two in the party... I had to bring my brother in the party as we need honest people and not selfish ones. It was out of compulsion that I had to bring him,” she said.
The war of words gave the ruling BJP a chance to take potshots at the BSP chief, saying it was high time for Mayawati to quit politics.
“Mayawati does politics just for her own sake and has lust for money and nothing else. After today's expose, she should quit politics,” BJP spokesman Chandra Mohan said.
(With inputs from PTI and The Indian Express.)
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