A day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sacked two controversial Ministers, he delivered another surprise on Tuesday by replacing the topmost bureaucrat in the State. The dismissal of Gayatri Prajapati, said to be close to Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and his younger son Prateek Yadav, comes days after the Allahabad High Court rejected the state government's plea to withdraw an order for CBI inquiry into allegations of illegal mining in the state.
While Akhilesh stayed away, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav, along with Singhal, attended the party.
Governor Ram Naik accepted the chief minister's recommendation to sack them, a Raj Bhawan communique said. "Now when the HC has taken serious view of the matter and ordered CBI probe, the CM's decision is if hardly any outcome", TOI.
The merger has not happened, but Akhilesh's battle with his uncle has reportedly deeply upset Mulayam Singh Yadav, who credits Shivpal Yadav as the party's key strategist for alliances, mergers and acquisitions for elections.
Shivpal Yadav has been removed as in-charge of revenue, irrigation and public works department portfolios and given social welfare instead.
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Prajapati began as Minister of State for Irrigation in February 2013 and was moved to the lucrative berth of mining, directly under Yadav who handled that portfolio.
With Akhilesh Yadav completely ignoring him since he rejoined, Amar Singh kept close to Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav.
The difference in opinion between the duo was apparent when Akhilesh opposed the merger of Quami Ekta Dal with SP which was proposed by Shivpal.
Addressing SP workers, Mulayam had said that in case the party splits, many workers will go with Shivpal.
A copy of the letter was also marked to Akhilesh Yadav.
