Maya sacks two more ministers

Within days after sacking four ministers from the cabinet, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Wednesday sacked two more ministers in an apparent bid to `purge' her party of `corrupt elements.'

Mayawati showed the door to Minister of State (independent charge) Akbar Hussain and Minister of State for Science and Technology Yashpal Singh and handed over their portfolios to Energy Minister Ramveer Upadhyaya, according to official sources here.

Although the sacked ministers did not have a Lokayukta probe against them, sources said local Bahujan Samaj Party leaders had accused the duo of corruption. With them holding office, the party’s poll prospects could be affected, the leaders reportedly opined.