Social engineering in Maya’s ministry too

The ministry has seven Brahmins, the highest in the past 11 years. However, only four Thakurs, two as Ministers of State (independent charge) and two MoS, have been included in the ministry. The ministry also includes one Jaat, three OBCs, two Bhumihars and six Scheduled Castes.

Daddu Prasad from Manikpur, 31-year-old advocate Nakul Dubey from Mahona and first-timer Dharam Singh Saini from Bulandshahr were surprise inclusions. Nakul’s victory was the first for BSP in Lucknow district since the party was formed 23 years ago.

Senior leaders like Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Ramvir Uppadhya, Lalji Verma, Swami Prasad Maurya and Rakesh Dhar Tripathi have been given Cabinet rank. Brijesh Mishra Saurabh who had successfully taken on Raja Bhaiyya, however, could not find a berth.

Though no one from the Vaishya community has won on a BSP ticket, Sudhir Goyal, the national spokesperson, was sworn in as Cabinet minister. Goyal, who suffered an attack of Parkinson’s disease today morning, was brought to the venue on a stretcher.