BJP Ally In UP: Some Bureaucrats Are 'Lotus' Outside But 'Cycle-Elephant' On The Inside

'Transfer row' in Uttar Pradesh indicates that disquiet among the ministers like Dinesh Khatik, Jitin Prasada and Brajesh Pathak is majorly due to officials rather than Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Amid this, another statement has come from the cabinet minister in the UP government and chief of the BJP ally, Nishad Party, Sanjay Nishad.

According to reports, Nishad canceled transfers in the Fisheries department that comes under him and alleged that "some officials are 'lotus' outside but 'cycle-elephant' on the inside."

The lotus is the election symbol of the BJP, while cycle and elephant of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) respectively.

He further told UP Tak, "Such officials remain hidden but people's representatives have to face trouble because of them. Officials are being investigated. We can't question our government. CM Yogi listens to the ministers."

Earlier, MoS Dinesh Khatik's resignation sparked a row after he alleged that he was ignored 'for being a Dalit'. When Nishad was questioned regarding this, he said, "This is his personal matter. We always attend meetings. Our caste people haven't been neglected, when that happens, will see what to do."

On canceling the transfers, he said, "Some officers had health-related issues, hence the decision was taken. All transfers in our department are being done according to the transfer policy." However, media reports tried connecting this incident to the 'transfer row' in the other two departments- PWD and health.

Meanwhile, Dinesh Khatik has returned to Lucknow after meeting Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda in Delhi. He met CM Adityanath at his residence.

Jal Shakti Minister and BJP state president Swatantra Dev Singh was also present during this meeting. Dainik Jagran reported that Khatik is expected to take back his resignation after the meeting.

However, it should be noted that not only certain ministers but a couple of MLAs have also expressed their displeasure with some officials.

MLA from Unnao's Safipur, Bamba Lal Diwakar wrote a letter to DM and SDO alleging that Executive Engineer Rajneesh Chandra Anuragi doesn't receive his phone calls, and even if he receives, talks in an unparliamentary language. He has asked for disciplinary action against and transfer of the engineer.

Another MLA from Hardoi's Sawayajpur, Madhvendra Pratap Singh has accused administrative officers of corruption. He wrote a letter to DM Avinash Kumar and asked for action against two officers.

He has alleged that additional programme officer of MNREGA, Atul Kumar Rai issues tenders in the name of his relatives and earns a commission of 10-12 per cent. Allegations against junior engineer Deepak Rajput say that he illegally gets money from Gram Pradhans in MLA's name.