The Hindu : National : Raja Bhaiyya back in U.P. Ministry

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 22, 2006

National

National

Raja Bhaiyya back in U.P. Ministry

``POTA case foisted for political reasons and I have spent 20 months in jail''

— Photo: Subir Roy

EXCHANGING GREETINGS: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav exchanging greetings with newly sworn in Minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh (Raja Bhaiya) in Lucknow on Saturday.

Lucknow: Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya, Independent MLA, was on Saturday reinducted as Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, the portfolio he held before resigning last November.

Governor T. V. Rajeswar administered him the oath of office and secrecy here in the morning.

Raja Bhaiyya had to resign as Minister, following cancellation of his bail in a case under the Prevention of Terrorism Act slapped during the Mayawati regime.

He surrendered before the POTA court in Kanpur on November 15.

The Supreme Court transferred the case to Madhya Pradesh for trial. On December 15, the M.P. court granted him bail.

Talking to newspersons, Mr. Raja Bhaiyya said the POTA case was foisted on him for political reasons and he had already spent about 20 months in jail.

Asked what prompted him to join the Ministry when he was out on bail, the Kunda MLA said he was on bail last time also when he was Cabinet Minister.

Now there are 30 Cabinet Ministers including Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, 12 Ministers of State with independent charge and 18 Ministers of State. — UNI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National