The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party may be sworn enemies in the public eye but when it comes to actual action, both parties tend to be “soft” towards each other.
A classic example of this is the Lokayukta report on the construction of memorials and parks — which unearthed an `1,400 crore scam — that is gathering dust in the chief minister’s office. The Lokayukta Justice N.K. Mehrotra (Retired) had submitted his report to the state government on May 20 with strong recommendations of action and further probe.
Almost a fortnight has passed and there is no indication of action against the 199 persons, including former ministers, former legislators, bureaucrats, technocrats and private firms found guilty of embezzlement of funds.
Earlier in August 2012, the Lokayukta had recommended CBI and ED inquiries against former BSP minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui for acquiring assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income.
The only progress, so far, is that the recommendation for an investigation has been sought from the “higher-ups” in the government.
In yet another case investigated by the Lokayukta, Mr Naseemuddin Siddiqui was found guilty of setting up a dummy society — Qumruddin and Farzand Ali Education Society —and using it to make money though illegal means.
The Lokayukta had also found the former minister’s wife Husna Siddiqui to be involved in the scam.
The report is also gathering dust in the chief minister’s office.
In May 2012, the Lokayukta had recommended action against another former BSP minister Ramvir Upadhyay in a disproportionate assets case and government officials claim that an investigation against him is underway. They refused to divulge the nature of investigation being held.
In sharp contrast, Mayawati had acted firmly against her own ministers if and when they were found guilty.
In September 2011, Ms Mayawati had promptly dismissed the then labour minister Badshah Singh who was found guilty of misusing his office and financial anomalies in the Lokayukta probe. He is now in jail in the LACFED scam. Ms Mayawati also acted against her minister Avadhpal Singh Yadav in a criminal and corruption case and the latter is cooling his heels in the prison.