Other States - Uttar Pradesh   

Assembly to decide on `tainted' Ministers, MLAs

Lucknow: Even as the all-party meeting convened by Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker decided for an open discussion on Friday to decide the fate of Ministers and MLAs involved in corruption as shown in a sting operation by a news channel, the Samajwadi Party and BSP are still to take any action against their members.

Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday refused to remove the two Ministers -- Mahboob Ali and Rakesh Verma -- from his Ministry. ``It is my democratic power to retain or remove anyone in my Ministry,'' he told media persons after the meeting.

The Chief Minister asserted that no one, including the media, could question the removal of Ministers. He said the Assembly would decide the action to be taken against errant members.

``As I was busy in other matters, the issue could not be taken up in the House.''

Meanwhile, sources said it was expected that a House committee would be set up to give its report on what action be taken against the four MLAs -- two of the ruling SP and one each of BJP and BSP.

Congress Legislature Party leader Pramod Tiwari claimed that only his party had moved an adjournment motion in the House demanding action against the MLAs and would not accept any decision other than their dismissal.

He suggested a House committee to table its report on what action be taken against the guilty politicians.

Leader of Opposition Lalji Tandon and BSP legislature party leader Swami Prasad Maurya also clarified they were ready for discussion in the House.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Lok Dal president and former Union Minister Ajit Singh favoured expulsion of the three MLAs -- including a Minister -- caught on camera for demanding money for contraband shipment, transfers and `protection'. Mr Singh's party is an ally of the ruling coalition in the State.

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

Stories in this Section

Assembly to decide on `tainted' Ministers, MLAs
AMU Women's Cell `active'

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu