UP CM Akhilesh defends inclusion of Raja Bhaiya in cabinet

Lucknow, Mar 15 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday defended his decision to give cabinet berth to Kunwar Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, saying the charges levelled against the latter were politically motivated and were all fabricated by the previous Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Government.

"You also know under which government's rule charges were slapped against Raja Bhaiya. You can go back check the dates also. The previous government had sent him to jail too," he said.

Yadav said his newly elected cabinet would take important decisions keeping the youth in mind, as the youth had voted en masse for his Samajwadi Party (SP).

"In the evening today the cabinet will meet. We have said it earlier also that the youth of the state had voted for the Samajwadi party and as a result we will take some important decisions today with regard to education and employment allowance. There will be very big decisions after the cabinet meets," he said.

Continuing his focus on youth, Yadav said that the recent clamour and long lines for employment allowances in the state exposed the rampant unemployment during the rule of the previous government.

"The most important fact which was visible in the newspapers also was that for employment allowance a lot of youngsters including girls have come out. There was a mad rush for registrations," said Yadav.

"So, the hidden unemployment has now come out in the open and is for yours to see. I want to assure the youth of the state that we will fulfil all our promises," he added.

Akhilesh, 38, became the youngest chief minister of India's largest and most populous state of Uttar Pradesh today.

Uttar Pradesh Governor B.L. Joshi administered the oath of office to Akhilesh at a ceremony here in presence of Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, family members, leaders of various political parties and prominent personalities.

Nineteen Ministers of Cabinet rank were also administered oath besides 29 Ministers of State.

Thursday's swearing-in ceremony took place nine days after the Samajwadi Party secured an absolute majority in the seven-phased state assembly elections.

Akhilesh and his party won 224 of the 403 state assembly seats. (ANI)