Three Muslim Ministers were elevated to the Cabinet rank in Uttar Pradesh on Friday in what is seen as a bid by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh to appease the community, which feels betrayed in the aftermath of the Muzaffarnagar communal riots.
The three Ministers of State — Shahid Manzoor, Mahboob Ali and Iqbal Mahmood — are MLAs from Kithore (Meerut), Amroha and Sambhal, all in western Uttar Pradesh. With this promotion, the number of Cabinet Ministers from the Muslim community has gone up to five, the others being Mohammad Azam Khan (Parliamentary Affairs) and Ahmed Hasan (Health). In addition to these, there are five Muslim Ministers of State.
Shivakant Ojha was also appointed Cabinet Minister.
In another induction, Yasser Shah, MLA from Matera in Bahraich district, has been made Minister of State. He comes in place of his father, Waqar Ahmed Shah, who is critically ill and has been relieved as Labour Minister.
The oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers was administered by Governor B.L. Joshi, in the presence of the Chief Minister, at the Raj Bhavan.
Of the new Cabinet Ministers, Mr. Manzoor is said to be a staunch opponent of Mr. Azam Khan and he has not hesitated to air his views about the Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
Meanwhile, Rashid Masood, former Congress MP, who lost membership of the Rajya Sabha following his alleged involvement in a recruitment scam, is said to be in touch with the SP leadership. Sources said he met Mr. Mulayam Singh recently.
