Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav sacks 8 ministers ahead of Cabinet reshuffle

Akhilesh Yadav is planning an image makeover of his team ahead of the 2017 Assembly Elections.

Lucknow: In an unexpected development, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday sacked eight ministers from his Council of Ministers.

Among the eight sacked, five were of Cabinet rank while the rest were Ministers of State.

Portfolios have also been taken away from nine ministers, including Raja Bhaiya, Ahmed Hassan and Avdesh Prasad.

Of those ministers who have been sacked include Yogesh Bhaiya, Aridaman Singh, Ambika Chaudhary, Narad Rai, Shivakant Ojha, Bhagwat Gangwar, Alok Shakya and Shiv Beria.

The development came two days ahead of a reshuffle of the UP Council of Ministers by Akhilesh.

An official spokesman said new faces are likely to be inducted into the Akhilesh Cabinet.

While there was no official word on why the ministers have been sacked, reports said involvement in corruption and failure to speed up ministry-related projects could be among the main reasons.

Akhilesh is planning an image makeover of his team ahead of the 2017 Assembly Elections.