Lucknow, Aug. 7: Expelled BJP leader Dayashankar Singh today repeated his charge that Mayawati "sold" election tickets and dared her to take on his wife in the Uttar Pradesh polls from a "general" seat.

"I challenge Mayawati to select any general seat out of the 403 in Uttar Pradesh and see how Swati, an apolitical woman, defeats her as an Independent. Mayawati has already been discredited by the people because they knew she was selling her party tickets," said Singh, jailed for making offensive remarks against the Bahujan Samaj Party boss.

The former state BJP vice-president was speaking hours after being released on bail from a jail in Mau and being given a hero's welcome at several places during his 300km journey to Lucknow.

Scores of BJP workers had gathered in front of the prison since the wee hours. Many garlanded him when he stepped out. Some lifted him on their shoulders.

Singh had been in jail since July 29 over the foul language he had used against Mayawati while accusing her of selling BSP tickets.

Although Singh spoke about his wife contesting as an Independent, state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya had recently praised Swati for having stoutly stood by her husband during the crisis and said his party could field her in the elections due early next year.

Mayawati, a Dalit, has not been known to contest Assembly elections, preferring the indirect Legislative Council polls instead after she comes to power. A chief minister must be a member of either House.

Today, Singh repeated his claim that his foul words were a "slip of the tongue" and said he had already apologised. "I used an objectionable word against her. It was my mistake. My party has punished me for it. I also spent eight days in jail for making such a comment."

Singh accused Mayawati of having "dragged" his daughter, wife and mother into a fight that was between him and the BSP chief. He said he would soon file a PIL in Allahabad High Court for a probe against the properties of Mayawati and her party leaders.