Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister D.D. Lapang has accepted the resignation of Anish Gandhi from the post of advisor following complaints that he had used Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s name to get plum assignments.
“His resignation has been accepted. He is no more holding any post in the government,” Luizinho Faleiro, Congress in-charge of Meghalaya, told IANS.

Anish, 35, an electronics and communications engineer, claimed close proximity to Rahul Gandhi and was appointed advisor to the government on science and technology in August last year and held cabinet rank.

Congress sources said the nudge for Anish’s exit came from Rahul Gandhi, who is against his name being used to derive political mileage or gain material benefit.

Anish had earlier taken up assignments in panels and groups connected with the ministries of panchayati raj and rural development.

According to Congress sources, Anish’s removal would serve as a message to anyone using Gandhi’s name to curry favour.

Anish, however, has denied using Rahul Gandhi’s name to get assignments.

A senior Congress leader from Meghalaya told IANS it was their duty to ensure that names of party leaders were not misused.

“They (the party leadership) have made sacrifices. It is our sacred duty to see that their names are not misused,” he said.