Premium
This is an archive article published on October 9, 2003

Days after swearing-in, UP minister out in the cold

India’s biggest ministry shed a little weight today. Mulayam Singh Yadav sacked a minister of state ‘‘with immediate effect&#...

.

India’s biggest ministry shed a little weight today. Mulayam Singh Yadav sacked a minister of state ‘‘with immediate effect’’ because he went public about the promise of a cabinet berth.

Brijendra Pratap Singh, minister of state for land development and water resources, said on Tuesday: ‘‘We were assured cabinet berths for joining SP but now the CM is denying it.’’ Today, the Chief Secretary issued a release which read: ‘‘The minister is removed with immediate effect. Consent has been obtained from the Governor.’’

The CM’s Cabinet problems don’t end here. Several MLAs left out from the Cabinet have been complaining. Supporters of SP leader Om Vati staged a demonstration outside the CM’s residence. Her claim is that she is a two-time legislator but was denied a berth. On the other hand, Ram Pyare Singh, rookie MLC and a relative of general secretary Amar Singh, has been made a minister. ‘‘We had been waiting for eight years but when we got the opportunity, those from outside have been favoured,’’ said an SP legislator who also missed the bus.

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement