On Monday, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath sacked Union minister Om Prakash Rajbhar from his cabinet. Rajbhar had been repeatedly making controversial remarks against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).  The chief minister also removed all members appointed to various boards and corporations in Uttar Pradesh just ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to placate Rajbhar.

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“Om Prakash Rajbhar has been relieved of his responsibilities as a minister for backward classes welfare and disabled development,” said a Raj Bhawan communique.

Since last year, Mr. Rajbhar had been publicly targeting Yogi Adityanath, accusing him of neglecting allies and the backward castes. Rajbhar, a disgruntled ally of the BJP, allegedly urged supporters to thrash ruling party workers with shoes if they spread “misinformation” about his party. He claimed that BJP leaders were spreading rumors that the SBSP candidate was not contesting the election from the Ghosi parliamentary seat. A video of his speech has gone viral on social media.

 The UP CM on Monday sent his recommendation to the Governor and sought immediate removal of Rajbhar and his partymen who are holding the rank of minister of state. The UP governor has accepted CM's recommendation to sack the minister.

"CM has requested Governor to dismiss Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party chief OM Prakash Rajbhar from UP cabinet with immediate effect." Rajbhar, a minister for backward class welfare and 'divyangjan' empowerment, had earlier resigned from Cabinet but it wasn't accepted.

Mr. Rajbhar's sacking finally came about a day after exit polls predicted a huge win for the BJP in the national election and another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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