Controversial Uttar Pradesh politician Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, who was forced to resign from the Cabinet in March over allegations that he was involved in the murder of a senior cop, was today re-inducted as a minister in Akhilesh Yadav government. He would be allocated a portfolio later.
The independent MLA from Kunda was sworn in by Governor B.L. Joshi at Raj Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and senior Cabinet Minister Azam Khan.
The former food and civil supplies minister had to resign from the Cabinet after being accused in the killing of DSP Zia-ul-Haque in Pratapgarh,
Mr Haq was killed on March 2 in Pratapgarh district where he had gone to probe a village headman’s murder. An angry mob reportedly cornered him, and eight policemen who were with him allegedly abandoned him. Three bullets were fired – one killed Mr Haque; the other two killed headman Nanhe Yadav’s brother.
Raja Bhaiya had recently been cleared by the Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI in the killing of Zia ul Haq. However, DSP Haque’s wife Parvind Azad had filed a protest application against it.
Raja Bhaiya faces eight criminal cases, including those of attempt to murder, robbery and dacoity. His reinstatement is being seen as the ruling Samajwadi Party’s political ambition to consolidate the Thakur voters in Uttar Pradesh.
