Even when the term of nine nominated members of the State legislative Council expired on Monday, Governor Ram Naik, put a break on their replacement by the candidates whose name have been sent for approval by the state government. Naik had reportedly sought additional information particularly about the backgrounds of the candidates. The Governor in a letter to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, dispatched on Sunday, asked for information on three points with regard to the nine names suggested for nomination to the Upper House, Raj Bhawan sources confirmed here on Monday. He has reportedly sought information about the criminal history, if any, of the candidates, or whether any case is pending against them, besides asking if any of them is bank defaulter.
The Governor has also sought detailed information about the areas of art, literature, or social service in which the nine candidates have made important contribution as these seats are meant for apolitical people making significant contribution in these areas. It may be mentioned that a local journalist, had sent a letter to the Governor underlining the fact that the nominations by him for Vidhan Parishad are exclusively meant for prominent personalities from different walks of life including arts and literature, and not for political persons or persons having political affiliations.
The list of names for nomination to the 100-member Upper House included Jitendra Yadav, a close relative of lalu Yadav, SRS Yadav, office secretary of the Samajwadi Party, formers tudent leader Rajpal Kashyap, and SP leader leelavati Khushwaha, party leaders Ranvijay Singh, Kamlesh Pathak, Ram Vraksh Yadav, and Abdul Sarfaraz Khan. Also a significant name in the list is that of prominent builder Sanjay Seth, who is known for his proximity to those occupying important positions in the echelons of power. The seats fell vacant on Monday after the term of nine members nominated by then BSP government expired. The outgoing members are Kamlakant Gautam, Gopal Narain Mishra, Naushad Ali, M l Tomar, Meghraj Singh, Ramchandra Singh Pradhan, Vinay Shakya, Banwari Singh Yadav, and Shivbodh Ram.