Trouble for Yogi as resentment among ministers continues

By Our Special Correspondent

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adianath's second term in a row has seen signs of trouble as state ministers have expressed dissent against the government's performance.

The latest crisis erupted after Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak expressed anger and suspended senior officials in the Public Works Department headed by Jitin Prasada, while Water Power Minister Dinesh Khatik offered to resign on Wednesday, alleging that officials were ignoring him. . Khatik expressed his desire to resign through a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This letter appeared on social media.

In July, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak expressed his displeasure over transfers in his health department in his absence and sought an explanation from Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad for violating the transfer policy.

As this matter has put the state government in an embarrassing situation, the Chief Minister has formed a three-member committee to look into the report. Adityanath cracked the whip and suspended five senior officials, including Public Works Department (PWD) minister Jitin Prasad OSD, over irregularities in the department.

These controversies have given the main opposition Samajwadi Party, Congress and BSP enough ammunition to attack the state government. In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Khatiq made some serious allegations of corruption in his department and of being ignored by officials.

The Hastinapur BJP MLA highlighted his Dalit background while complaining against senior department officials. When media in his native Meerut district sought his reaction on his resignation, Khatiq simply said, "There is no such problem".

Sources close to the minister in Meerut said that he has gone to Delhi. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is happy that ministers have expressed their displeasure. Commenting on Khatiq's resignation, Akhilesh said in a tweet in Hindi, "There is no honor for a minister, but there is shame for a Dalit. Resigning is the right move to save the honor of one's 'samaj' (community)."