Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan had also accused Governor Ram Naik of stalling several bills by not giving his assent. (PTI file photo)
Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan today attacked Governor Ram Naik, who recently referred a bill to curtail powers of mayors to President Pranab Mukherjee, alleging it was an attempt to defend dishonest people.
"The state government made repetitive efforts to amend a 60-years-old Act that does not permit action against mayors of corporations for wrongdoings.
"It is pitiable that the state government is not empowered to take action against corrupt mayors. It is a joke on democracy," Mr Khan said, adding there is an attempt to "defend dishonest people and encourage corruption".
"The Governor has sent Uttar Pradesh Nagar Nigam (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and UP Nagarpalika Vidhi (Amendment) Bill, 2015 to President Pranab Mukherjee for reference," Raj Bhavan had said on Thursday.
After going through both the Bills, the Governor found that some provisions in the two proposed legislations were contrary to the concept of local self-administration and democracy, it had said.
Mr Khan had earlier alleged the Bill was not given assent so that mayors could not be punished for their "dishonesty".
He had also accused the Governor of stalling several bills by not giving his assent and that it was giving an impression that Ram Naik was working under the "influence of a party".