Mulayam meets Naik for a ‘courtesy call’, says MLC list not discussed

Mulayam’s sudden visit to Raj Bhawan around 12.05 pm led to speculation that the SP president has stepped in for damage control exercise over the MLC issue. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is currently abroad.

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On Wednesday, SP state spokesperson Rajendra Choudhary had indicated that the issue will be handled by Mulayam.

While coming out of Raj Bhawan, Mulayam claimed he has no role in the MLC list and that the issue was not discussed. “The list has been sent by the state government. It was not taken up during discussion. I have a long association with the Governor, as we were in Lok Sabha together… Hence, I came to meet him,” he said.

The Governor, in a letter to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, had asked for information about the criminal history, if any, of the candidates or whether any case is pending against them besides if any of them is a bank defaulter. He has also sought information about the areas of art, literature or social service in which these nine candidates have made important contribution.

The Governor’s inquiry was in response to local journalist and social activist Sachidanand Gupta’s letter to him underlining the fact that the nominations are exclusively meant for the prominent personalities from different walks of life and not for political persons.

Transport office stays open till late to issue driving license to Jaya Prada

The transport department office in Lucknow stayed open till late Wednesday to issue a driving license to former Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Prada. With her mentor Amar Singh inching close towards the Yadav family, sources said she may also be inducted in the party. State Minister Shivpal Yadav recently had sid that if Jaya Prada and Amar Singh had demanded tickets, their request would have been considered. Amar Singh’s Gomti Nagar residence address has reportedly been shown as Jaya Prada’s address in her driving licence. It is yet to be confirmed whether Jaya Prada’s name is in the list of nine persons to be nominated as MLC.