Image makeover spree! Akhilesh strips 82 'non-performing' SP leaders of MoS status

Lucknow, Oct 26: In an attempt to makeover its poor image among the people, the Uttar Pradesh Government on Saturday removed nearly 82 Samajwadi Party leaders who were enjoying the minister of state (MoS) status since 2012. The sacked leaders were appointed as advisors in different departments and chairmen of various corporations and commissions.

According to reports, all the sacked leaders were given the MoS status due to several reasons like lobbying and recommendations from different quarters. These leaders used to enjoy all the perks of a MoS including salary package, accommodation in Lucknow.

Also, the Akhilesh Government released a list of 16 persons who have not been removed from their posts. All such leaders are part of Constitutional bodies as commissions - minority, backward, women, selection and recruitment, planning and SC/ST.

As per a report in Indian Express, Akhilesh's close aide Javed Abedi has been retained as UP Pollution Control Board's chairman. Gopal Das Neeraj head of Bhasha Sansthan and Uday Pratap Singh head of Hindi Sansthan have also not been removed.

Socialist ideologue Janeshwar Mishra's brother Tarkeshwar Mishra has been retained as chairman of UP State Agro Industrial Corporation Ltd.

Former journalist Farzand Ahmed, too, saved his post of advisor to Vocational Education while Azam Khan's close aide Nawaz Deobandi continues as chairman of Urdu Academy.

The report suggests that the party, for the few months, was facing protest over the role of these leaders with MoS status. Also, it has received complaints regarding misuse of power by these leaders with MoS status.

Also, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav expressed his concern over "non-performance" of these leaders.

Earlier, the Akhilesh Government had sacked 32 party leaders holding MoS status after the party's Lok Sabha elections debacle. Six of them were, however, reinstated later.

OneIndia News