Lucknow, May 20 (NDTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has sacked 36 state leaders with minister rank after his Samajwadi Party's rout in the national election.
The Samajwadi Party won just five seats in Uttar Pradesh, India's most politically vital state with 80 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP and its allies won 73 seats, leaving just two for the Congress.
For the Samajwadi Party's worst-ever performance in the state it has ruled since 2012, the axe has fallen first on the 36 of 88 ministerial rank leaders found to have worked against the party.
Akhilesh Yadav, however, dodged questions on his own resignation.
Asked whether he would take a cue from Nitish Kumar, who resigned as Bihar chief minister taking responsibility for his party's rout, Mr Yadav said, "You cannot compare UP's political situation to that of any other state."
The BJP, led by Narendra Modi, won a massive mandate to take power, after winning 282 seats on its own and 336 with its allies in the national election.
Mr Yadav, who had repeatedly questioned a "Modi wave", today said, "We will work according to the constitutional framework. And have a working relationship with Modi."