Uttar Pradesh minister, Azam Khan has criticised the Governor for delaying giving assent to important bills.
Upset with delay over being given assent on a bill related to urban local bodies, senior minister, Azam Khan has criticised Uttar Pradesh Governor, Ram Naik, accusing him of playing partisan politics, in the latest tussle between the Samajwadi Party led state government and the Raj Bhavan.
"The bill making Mayors answerable in cases of financial irregularities is pending... it is very wrong if Raj Bhavan gives patronage to those indulging in embezzlement... There are numerous complaints (of financial irregularities) in local bodies because of which we had to enact law as we wanted to curb corruption," said Mr Khan, who holds the key portfolios of parliamentary affairs and urban development.
Alleging that the delay caused was because all mayors belonged to BJP, Mr Khan said there was no provision in the existing law to make mayors answerable in case of embezzlement.
"If the Prime Minister of the country is answerable, the ministers of the Central government are answerable, then why not mayors," he said.
The Samajwadi Party leader went on to say that if Raj Bhavan had any doubts about the bill, they could have called him or the secretary concerned. He even took a dig at the Governor's mood.
Mr Khan said, "Buzurg toh shant hote hain... gussa jawani ki akad hoti hai (the elderly are quiet, anger is a trait of youth)."
Earlier, the Akhilesh Yadav government and the Governor differed on the appointment of a new Lokayukta, with the file recommending the name of retired judge Ravindra Singh Yadav moving back and forth nearly half a dozen times between the government and Raj Bhavan. Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court had reservations on Ravindra Singh Yadav's name due to his proximity to the government.
The Governor has also refused to clear five names for Legislative Council membership in the nominated members' category and sought details about them from the state government twice, claiming there are complaints against a few names.