Out on bail, MLA becomes minister

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati might be laying much emphasis on 'restoring law and order in a lawless state' but she did not hesitate to induct a man accused of murder in her council of ministers on Wednesday.

Anand Sen Yadav, who won the recent Assembly election from Milkipur in Faizabad district while he was in prison, sought bail to be sworn in as minister of state.

Son of BSP MP Mitrasen Yadav, he was facing trial in at least eight criminal cases, including murder and attempted murder.

Ironically while spelling out his priorities, he said, "Apart from other priorities laid down by Mayawati, law and order is also on top of my list."

When a journalist asked him how he could think about law and order when he was himself accused of major crimes, Yadav shot back, "Those cases are motivated because of political rivalries; in any case, they do not make me a criminal."

However, on being grilled further as to how he proposed to take care of law and order when he was still behind bars, he replied, "I am out on bail at the moment."

Sen's name had been included in the list of ministers to be inducted on the very first day of the formation of the Mayawati government. However, he failed to show up as he was in the Faizabad jail.

Along with Yadav, Mayawati also upgraded minister of state Ram Achal Rajbhar as a cabinet minister.