UP moves SC over political appointments

The Uttar Pradesh government Friday moved the Supreme Court against an Allahabad High Court order restraining it from giving ministerial status to political supporters.

The Allahabad High Court had Dec 18 restrained the Akhilesh Yadav government from doling out such largesse.

In a special leave petition filed in the apex court, the state government pleaded that it was its constitutional right to appoint people to such posts.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had also issued notices to 61 people who were granted the status of minister and sought their replies within two months.

This followed demands that they be stripped off their ministerial status.

The high court had also directed them not to use red beacons on their vehicles in compliance with the Supreme Court order restricting its use to those holding constitutional offices.

The court had observed that privileges, rights and status available to constitutional functionaries cannot be given to anyone by any notification or by statutory mandate.