Two RLD chairmen resign

Lucknow, Jan 11: Close on heels of the resignation of three Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) ministers on January 9, two party chairmen, accorded with minister status, today submitted their resignations.

Ramashraya Verma, chaiman of the UP Export Corporation and Tej Pal Singh, chairman Labour Welfare Council sent their resignations to chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

According to RLD sources, now only Gyanwati Singh of RLD, who occupies the post of chairperson women welfare is left to resign from the post.

Dr Gyanwati is likely to submit her resignation soon, sources claimed.

On Tuesday, RLD's ministers Virendra Singh (animal husbandary) and Kokab Hamid (tourism) -- both of cabinet rank -- and minister of state Swami Omvesh (Cane development) had submitted their resignations.

Irrigation and flood commission chairperson Anuradha Chaudhury, who is a Lok Sabha member and enjoyed the rank of cabinet minister, also submitted her resignation.

The RLD took the step to register its protest over the 'marginal' hike in State Advisory Price (SAP) of sugarcane announced by the CM in the recently-concluded monsoon session of the assembly.

While, RLD had demanded the SAP to be Rs 200 per quintal, the government had hiked it to Rs 122 per quintal.

UNI