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Azam goes quiet, Guv breaks silence
IT WAS a study in contrast. The usually vocal Urban Development Minister Azam Khan resorted to a ?Maun Vrat? and staged a sit-in at Gandhi Samadhi in Rampur. But, Governor TV Rajeswar, who was on a visit to the town, chose to break his silence to say that confusion was being created over the controversial Maulana Mohammed Ali Jauhar University Bill.
Jauhar Bill against Universities Act: Guv
IT WAS a study in contrast. The usually vocal Urban Development Minister Azam Khan resorted to a ‘Maun Vrat’ and staged a sit-in at Gandhi Samadhi in Rampur. But, Governor TV Rajeswar, who was on a visit to the town, chose to break his silence to say that confusion was being created over the controversial Maulana Mohammed Ali Jauhar University Bill.
In his first-ever comment on the issue, the Governor said the Bill, passed by the State Assembly, was against the UP Universities Act.
The Governor also made it clear that the Bill was pending with the President and not with him.
Amid tight security, the Governor visited Rampur on Wednesday to see the historical Raza library and offer tributes at the Gandhi Samadhi, where Khan was on dharna for two hours to protest against non-clearance of the Bill. Without looking at Khan, the Governor walked to the Samadhi to pay tribute.
Khan sat on dharna, along with Samajwadi Party district president Satnam Singh and minority cell chief Nasir Khan. Party workers were not allowed to venture around the Samadhi. Later, Rajeswar visited Raza library, along with Congress leader Noor Bano. Talking to newspersons, the Governor said he had told the State Government about discrepancies in the Bill. The Governor said had he cleared the Bill, it would have been struck down by court because of lacunae.
He, however, refused to comment on Khan’s protest at the Samadhi.
A large number of SP workers raised slogans against the Governor. The district administration, which was on the tenterhooks because of the violent mood of ruling party workers had made tight security arrangements.
Noor Bano received the Governor at the helipad and accompanied him. The Governor had lunch at Noor Mahal before leaving for Lucknow. He also met a large number of delegations, which apprised him of the prevailing situation in the city. The SP delegation, however, demanded clearance of the university bill.
Noor Bano assailed Khan for creating obstructions during the Governor’s visit.
On his part, Khan told newspersons the Governor had no official engagement in Rampur and had visited the city to boost Noor Bano’s morale.
