Remarks against Mayawati violate democratic norms, says Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Hitting out at BJP over the derogatory remarks against BSP chief Mayawati questioning her character by Dayashankar Singh, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said it was against "democratic norms".

"Such derogatory remarks against a Dalit leader of national repute is against the democratic norms. Mayawati is the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and a respected person," he said in a statement.

Criticising BJP strongly for its now expelled leader's remarks, Patnaik said, "The derogatory remarks against Mayawati shows BJP's anti-Dalit stand."

Patnaik's statement on the issue is significant as his government has been targeted by BJP, which recently termed the BJD dispensation as "anti-tribal" and "anti-Dalit" following killing of five persons during anti-maoist operation in the forests in Kandhamal on July 8.