Mayawati transfers Bhandari’s secretary

Mayawati did not pay any attention to Shashank’s request until Bhandari refused to sign five ordinances that she had sent last week. She then evened scores with the Governor by “obliging” his principal secretary and shifting him out of Raj Bhavan.Mayawati herself was annoyed with Shashank as she suspected him of leaking to the media a letter, which she had sent to the Governor requesting immediate suspension of Lucknow University Vice-Chancellor Prof S P Singh after he was indicted in a vigilance inquiry. Singh was given his marching orders the very next day.

Shashank relieved himself of his duties by getting his charge certificate signed by Chief Secretary Brajendra Sahay on July 16, even before proceeding on leave on medical grounds. He was unavailable for comment. The move came as an embarrassment for Bhandari, who claimed that he had not relieved Shashank. He also alleged that the Government did not consult him before shifting his principal secretary. The issue is being viewed as another chapter in the ongoing confrontation between Mayawati and Bhandari.

Relations between the two heads of State soured about three months back, when Mayawati accused Bhandari of acting at the behest of Mulayam Singh Yadav in “advising” the State Government on the Azadari issue.