Fall in line, Akhilesh asks mantris Not much fanfare on Akhilesh’s B’day

Apparently with an eye on the 2014 general elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday asked his ministers to comply with a set of directives to ensure a clean image of the party.

In a letter to his cabinet colleagues, Mr Yadav asked them to announce their assets and also of their family members, apart from refraining from accepting costly gifts and attending high-profile functions.

Reacting to the move, a senior leader said Yadav was forced to give these instructions in writing as no leader volunteered after the chief minister's initiative in this regard, “except a few”.

The move comes at a time when the party was under attack from the opposition, which is accusing it of patronising “goonda elements”.

The CM also asked them not to involve in land deals and businesses, and inform the CM office in this regard if necessary.

In an attempt to check corruption and graft, Mr Yadav In sharp contrast to his predecessor, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav celebrated his 39th birthday on Sunday without any fanfare. The CM kept the day reserved for his family and there was no public or party function to mark the occasion. "Akhilesh always has a small puja and then takes the blessings of his elders in the family. This year will be no different,” said a family member. has asked all his ministers not to accept gifts valued more than `5,000.

In case, a minister gets a gift worth more than `5,000, the same should be deposited with the government concerned authority.