UP Governor Ram Naik conveys anguish over Azam Khan's remark

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik on Saturday conveyed his anguish to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav over the remarks by parliamentary affairs minister Azam Khan who had accused him of stalling bills "under influence of a party".

Yadav met the Governor at the Raj Bhawan and during the meeting Naik expressed his anguish over Khan's statement, a Raj Bhawan release said. Yadav told Naik that he will talk to Khan in this connection, the release said.

The two discussed in detail the seven bills pending with the Governor for approval, the release said, adding the chief minister also apprised the Governor of the ongoing development works and welfare schemes.

A remark in the the state Assembly by Khan accusing the Governor of "stalling several bills" by not giving his assent and that it was giving an impression that he was working under the "influence of a party" had triggered a war of words between him and Naik.

"A Bill (UP Nagar Nigam Amendment Bill 2015) is pending with the Governor for over one year through which Mayors could be removed for financial irregularities. The Governor has stalled the Bill giving an impression that he is working under influence of a party," Khan had said in the House on March 8.

Taking exception to it, Naik had called for a CD of Khan's speech and questioned his abilities as the state's Parliamentary Affairs minister. The Governor also asked Yadav to send two more names for nomination on the vacant seats of members to the Legislative Council.