UP Governor Ram Naik seeks info to check background of nominated members

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik sought additional information from UP CM to run background checks on nine Samajwadi Party members whose names were sent to the state Legislative Council under the nominated members category.

The Governor in a letter to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday asked for information on three points with regard to the nine names suggested for nomination to the Upper House, Raj Bhawan sources said today.

He has sought information about the criminal history, if any, of the candidates, or whether any case is pending against them, besides asking if any of them is bank defaulter, they said.

The Governor has also sought detailed information about the areas of art, literature, or social service in which the nine candidates have made important contribution as these seats are meant for apolitical people making significant contribution in these areas.

Earlier journalist Sachidanand Gupta had sent a letter to the Governor underlining the fact that the nominations by him for Vidhan Parishad are exclusively meant for prominent personalities from different walks of life including arts and literature, and not for political persons or persons having political affiliations.

The list of names for nomination to the 100-member Upper House included Jitendra Yadav, a close relative of Lalu Yadav; SRS Yadav, office secretary of the Samajwadi Party; former student leader Rajpal Kashyap, and SP leader Leelavati Khushwaha, party leaders Ranvijay Singh, Kamlesh Pathak, Ram Vraksh Yadav, and Abdul Sarfaraz Khan.

Also a significant name in the list is that of prominent builder Sanjay Seth, who is known for his proximity to those occupying important positions in the echelons of power.

The seats fell vacant today as the term of nine members nominated by then BSP government expired.

The outgoing members are Kamlakant Gautam, Gopal Narain Mishra, Naushad Ali, M L Tomar, Meghraj Singh, Ramchandra Singh Pradhan, Vinay Shakya, Banwari Singh Yadav, and Shivbodh Ram.