Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav came in the firing line of the Opposition over the re-induction of sacked ministers in the state cabinet, especially former Mining minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati. A petition has been also filed in the Allahabad High Court against Prajapati.
The Opposition alleged that the SP had bowed to corruption and to corrupt leaders leading to inducting of leaders like Prajapati and others in the ministry.
Criticising the CM for re-inducting the tainted minister, BSP chief Mayawati said that the ‘U-turn’ pointed towards the weakness of Akhilesh Yadav.
“By re-inducting Prajapati, earlier sacked on corruption charges, the CM has not only proved himself to be a weak administrator, but has also exposed that besides dismal law and order, corruption is the order of the day in UP,” Mayawati said in a statement released in lucknow on Monday.
Mayawati said that people find it hard to understand as to why Prajapati, who was dismissed on charges of corruption in Mining department and against whom the High Court ordered a CBI probe, has been re-inducted.
“What was the compulsion for doing so. Even if his department is changed, his work, character and conduct is not going to change. Because the CM reneges on his decisions, his government is regarded as weak and its effect reflects on the poor law and order situation and development scenario, the BSP chief charged.
BJP legislature Party leader Suresh Khanna alleged that the cabinet expansion was a glaring example of corruption in the SP government. “Re-induction of Prajapati was indicative ofthe entire party bowing before corruption,” he alleged in a statement.
State Cogress vice-president and former minister Satyadeo Tripathi said that by reinducting Prajapati, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav haved proved that they have given their nod to corruption in the government.
“The government should clarify the reason behind the sacking of Prajapati and then his re-induction,” he demanded.
Meanwhile, social activist Dr Nutan Thakur filed a petition before the lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court against re-induction of Prajapati in the council of ministers.
In her petition, Dr Thakur contended that Prajapati was removed as minister on serious corruption charges after the Allahabad High Court ordered a CBI enquiry.
The social activist said that she had represented before Governor Ram Naik, who heard her and assured of taking legal advice on the issue, yet Prajapati was made a minister which forced her to approach the court.
Dr Thakur’s counsel Ashok Pande said that the Supreme Court in the SR Bommai and others case, stated that judicial review of Constitutional decisions can be made and hence review of Prajapati’s reappointment has been prayed.