Showing disdain to Trasport minister Gayatri Prajapti, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav refused to attend a programme to launch lohia Rural buses of UP State Road Transport Corporation.
The function was earlier to be inaugurated by the CM at 5 Kalidas Marg – the official residence of Chief Minister. The Department of Information had even issued a statement on October 26 declaring that the CM would inaugurate lohia Rural Bus service. However on Thursday evening, a government statement said that the CM’s programme at 5, Kalidas Marg has been cancelled.
In the absence of Chief Minister, Transport minister Prajapati inaugurated the lohia Gramin Bus service and flagged off a fleet of 30 buses.
Putting up a brave face, Prajapati said that the CM was busy with his prior engagement and hence could not flag off the buses. The minister also inaugurated three new bus stands and laid the foundation of four other stands in the state.
Yadav was actually attending a function at a village in Mohanlalganj when Parajapati fagged off the bus service. But sources said that earlier the Mohanlalganj programme was slated at 10 and 5, Kalidas Marg function was around 12 noon. "There was enough time for the CM to attend both the programmes," he said.
Sources said that the lohia Rural Bus service was a pet project of Chief Minister and he had asked former Transport minister Yasir Shah to launch the scheme. Under this scheme these buses will ply only in rural areas. The fare would be less and these buses will have more stoppages.
Prajapati is said to be the main bone of contention for the fued in Samajwadi Party's first family. After Allahabad High Court had ordered a CBI probe into irregularities in mining, Yadav had sacked Prajapati. Buthe had to take him back due to family pressure butthe CM changed his portfolio.
Sources said Chief Minister skipped the programme because he probably did not want to be sees in the company of Prajapati, who has been accused of earning riches through illegal means.