In the letter, she stated: “It would have been better if the Governor had personally talked to me, prior to sending the letter.” In his letter, Rajeswar had termed the government’s move as “unjustified” and asked Mayawati to revert the decision.

Addressing a press meet in Lucknow, the CM also took exception to the alleged leak of the letter to the media. “Since the Raj Bhawan leaked the letter to the media, I am giving you both — the Governor’s letter and my reply,” she said. “The action was taken to mend the ways of the officials. The book — Sultanpur Kal Aur Aaj — has even eulogised me. But government officials should not indulge in politics,” Mayawati said. She said the two IAS officers had violated the All India Civil Service (Conduct) Rule 1968 while the two state officials had worked against the provisions of UP Public Servant Rules 1999.