Lucknow: UP governor Ram Naik has dismissed state higher education minister Sharda Pratap Shukla on the recommendation of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.
The Samajwadi Party had denied a ticket to Mr Shukla, following which he decided to contest as a rebel candidate from Sarojini Nagar seat in Lucknow. The Rashtriya Lok Dal later gave him a ticket.
People familiar with the matter said one of the reasons why Mr Shukla was not given a ticket was because he was close to SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Akhilesh Yadav has fielded his cousin, Anurag Yadav, from Sarojini Nagar seat.
SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary told reporters that those who rebel against the party will face action. He said eight people were expelled Wednesday for anti-party activities. The party will not tolerate rebels in election time and will act against them, he added.
