Four days after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was felicitated with `Dalit Mitra’ Award by Ambedkar Mahasabha, the government made Lalji Prasad, Chairman of the Mahasabha, as Chairperson of UP Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation besides appointed former DGP of Uttar Pradesh Brij Lal as Chairperson of the UP Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission.

Announcement regarding these appointments was made by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here on Wednesday.

In a written statement issued here government spokesman said: “On the directives of Chief Minister retired IPS officer Brij Lal has been appointed as the chairman of UP Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission. Similarly, Lalji Prasad Nirmal has been appointed the new chairman of UP Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation.”

Brij Lal, a 1977-batch IPS officer was one time considered close to BSP and was made Director General of Police during Mayawati’s regime in 2011 but in 2015 he joined BJP. It was believed that he will contest 2017 election or will be made MLC but nothing happened.

The Yogi government, however, appointed him as Chairman, UP SC/ST Commission, the post which is equivalent to Cabinet minister’s rank.

The eyebrows are being over the appointment of Lalji Prasad Nirmal, president of Ambedkar Mahasabha as Chairperson of UP Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation. On April 14 the Mahasabha had honoured Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with the title - 'Dalit Mitra despite protests from the other founding members of the Mahasabha including former IPS SR Darapuri and former IAS Harish Chandra.

Both of them alleged that it was a “sell off” of dalit pride. They said when dalits are being targeted honouring CM with Dalit Mitra award will be like rubbing salt to injury.

At that time Nirmal had claimed that there was no vested interest in honouring CM.

Lalji Prasad becomes the Chairman of Mahasabha