It has been over three-and-a-half months since the Samajwadi Party came to power in Uttar Pradesh but chief minister Akhilesh Yadav continues to hold back nominations to over 150 posts, including that of chairpersons of various corporations, commissions and boards.
Legislators who have failed to make it to the council of ministers are now lobbying for these coveted posts that come with a ministerial rank while party leaders are also queuing up for the same.
According to sources, there are over 150 such posts where the chief minister can nominate persons of his choice. These posts, as per tradition, are given to party workers who are not in the government. At times, even legislators are nominated to such positions. Those party leaders, who failed to win elections, are also in the race.
“We have received over 1,000 applications for these posts and party leaders are also sending in recommendations for these posts to Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. It is a case of too many claimants for too few posts,” said a senior party functionary.
Party workers are thronging the party office every day with requests for nominations to these posts and some are even following Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav to Delhi with their pleas.
For the eight posts of information commissioners that will be vacant by the end of this month, there are over 75 applicants, including six lawyers and 28 journalists.
The women in the Samajwadi Party are also eyeing posts in the State Women’s Commission while the men are rooting for top posts in various corporations and commissions.
Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mr Akhilesh Yadav, according to sources, are deliberately delaying appointments to these posts to ward off resentment in party ranks.
“As soon as the appointments are made, there is bound to be resentment among those who fail to make it. However, we do not know how long we can hold back nominations though we will try our best to assuage the feelings of those who do not get a post,” said the senior party functionary.