Releasing copies of her letter to Governor T V Rajeshwar to the media, Mayawati justified the suspension while stating that she had “respect” for Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.

Rajeshwar, in his letter to Mayawati, questioned the suspension of Faizabad Commissioner, Venkateshawarlu and Sultanpur District Magistrate, Sanjai Kumar on charges of violating service rules by writing a foreword on a book Sultanpur - Kal Aaj Aur Kal, which glorified Rahul Gandhi and other members of the Nehru-Gandhi family in the development of the Sultanpur. The other two officers suspended are the former Chief Development Officer, Ishtadeo Prasad Singh and Assistant Director (Information), Pramod Kumar Singh.

The Governor on Friday asked the UP government to revoke the disciplinary action against the officials. The suspension has led to great resentment among the IAS officers of the state.

Mayawati said the officials not only wrote messages in the book but also “directly and indirectly” helped in its publication. Hence there appears to be a prima facie violation of service rules by the suspended officials, she said. While contending that the contribution of the BSP government had  been lauded in the book, she said officials should avoid praising any political party.