SP govt going soft on Azam, Prajapati, alleges BJP

In light of Akhilesh Yadav dispensation taking action against its several ministers, BJP today accused the SP-ruled UP government of "going soft" on Cabinet ministers Azam Khan and Gayatri Prajapati.
"It is the privilege of the government to reshuffle the cabinet, but I will question why they are soft on the issue of (Mining Minister) Gayatri Prajapati," BJP state president Laxmi Kant Bajpai told the reporters here.
Bajpai alleged that Prajapati was sheltering illegal mining and involved in corrupt practices. He also demanded immediate dismissal of the mining minister from the portfolio.
The state BJP chief said that SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav were "soft" on Urban Development Minister Mohd Azam Khan, who he alleged was "vitiating" the communal atmosphere in the state.

"When the present government is about to be removed by the public, why they are committing the sin of dropping ministers," he said.
"Why don't the government is not considering the issue of Khan, who is vitiating the communal atmosphere with his statements," Bajpai said.

Akhilesh today sacked five Cabinet ministers and three Ministers of State (MoS), while withdrawing portfolios of nine MoS as part of a major rejig of the government ahead of a possible reshuffle.
Citing example of Sonbhadra district, he demanded a CBI inquiry into illegal mining in the state.
"The SP supremo Mulayam had been continuously warning, but the illegal mining continues unabated," he claimed.

The BJP president also cornered the government on law and order situation.
Bajpai said that he had apprised the chief minister about illegal mining in the state through a letter.
"I will send similar letters to the respective departments and raise the issue in the state Assembly as well," he said.