SP likely to make changes in list of candidates for UP Council

Ruling Samajwadi Party is likely to make some changes in the list of nine persons for the nomination to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council after Governor Ram Naik sought additional information about their background including any criminal history.
A decision in this regard will be taken by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who today returned from his France tour.
SP is likely to change a few names and add new ones in the list, party sources said here today.
The names which could find place in the list include expelled party leader Amar Singh's close associate and Bollywood actress Jaya Prada, Uday Pratap Singh and Shatrudra Prakash, they said.

The Governor in a letter to the chief minister last week had elicited information on three points with regard to the nine names being recommended for the nomination to the UP Legislature's Upper House.
He had sought information about the criminal history, if any, of the candidates or whether any case is pending against them, besides if any of them is a bank defaulter.

The Governor had also sought detailed information about the areas of art, literature or social service in which these nine candidates have made important contribution as these seats are meant for apolitical people making significant contribution in these areas.

The list of names for nomination to the 100-member Upper House include Jitendra Yadav, a close relative of Lalu Yadav, SRS Yadav, office secretary of the Samajwadi Party, former student leader Rajpal Kashyap and SP leader Leelavati Khushwaha, party leaders Ranvijay Singh, Kamlesh Pathak, Ram Vraksh Yadav and Abdul Sarfaraz Khan.
A significant name in the list is that of prominent builder Sanjay Seth, who is known for his proximity to those occupying important positions in the echelons of power.
The nine seats fell vacant on May 25 as the term of nine members nominated by then BSP government expired. The members are Kamlakant Gautam, Gopal Narain Mishra, Naushad Ali, M L Tomar, Meghraj Singh, Ramchandra Singh Pradhan, Vinay Shakya, Banwari Singh Yadav and Shivbodh Ram.