Maya flays Governor, says she is the boss

MAYA CLARIFIES: Mayawati claims she sacked the officials not for praising the Gandhi family, but for flouting norms.

    

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New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is on the backfoot after she fired two IAS officials for allegedly glorifying Rahul Gandhi in a book on the history of Sultanpur district.

In a press conference convened on Saturday morning, Mayawati claimed that she had not sacked the officials for praising the Gandhi family, but for flouting service norms.

She says she has nothing against Sonia or Rahul Gandhi.

"I have not suspended the officers because the book contains chapters on Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi. All such allegations are wrong. I respect both of them," she said at the press conference.

The move had created an uproar, and the Governor even shot off a letter to the state government seeking a clarification.

Hitting back at Governor T V Rajeshwar for disapproving her decision Mayawati — in a letter to him — said he should have sought clarification from her instead of going by media reports.

She claimed that the officials not only wrote messages in the book but also 'directly and indirectly' helped in its publication.

Rajeshwar in his letter to Mayawati questioned the suspension of Faizabad Commissioner, Venkateshawarlu and Sultanpur District Magistrate, Sanjai Kumar on charges that they violating service rules by writing foreword on a book titled Sultanpur — Kal Aaj Aur Kal.

The book allegedly glorifies Rahul Gandhi and other members of the Nehru-Gandhi family in the development of Sultanpur.

The Governor had on Friday asked the UP government to revoke the disciplinary action against the officials.

Ban Book Containing Lord Ram Remark: Mayawati

Mayawati has demanded immediate ban on a book containing objectionable references towards Lord Ram and Sita which was released at New Delhi recently.

"The book should be banned. I am writing to the Prime Minister in this regard," Mayawati was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

She also referred to the protests against the book in some parts of the state and said that her party was with the protesters. She, however, appealed to the people to protest in a peaceful manner.