Madhu Mishra, who heads the BJP's Uttar Pradesh women's wing, has been expelled from the party for 6 years for her controversial remark that "those who used to polish shoes are now ruling the state."

Addressing a public gathering in Aligarh, Mishra said, "People who once used to polish your shoes are now ruling you, thanks to the Constitution. This has happened because there is no unity is us. We are a divided lot."

UP state BJP President Laxmikant Vajpayee said that the party has sought an explanation from Madhu Mishra. "I have sought a written explanation from Madhu Mishra. I have asked for the audio recording of her speech. The party has nothing to do with her statement," Vajpayee said.

The woman leader's contentious statement gave the Congress ample fodder to target the BJP. Congress leader Akshilesh Pratap Singh said that Madhu Mishra's comments were exactly the ideologies of the RSS.

Meanwhile, Madhu Mishra stood by her statement and said she didn't intend to hurt anyone. "I don't regret what I said. I was misunderstood. What I meant was equality for all...sabka saath, sabka vikas," she said.