Will Akhilesh Yadav recall sacked minister Raj Kishor Singh into the Cabinet? Here's a look at his profile

Here's a look at Raj Kishor Singh's political career

Hailing from a very humble background, Raj Kishor Singh has now become a 'Bahubali' minister.

Singh has been a legislator since the last 15 years from Hariya constituency of Basti and enjoyed a berth in the UP Cabinet three times. But when his properties grew in leaps and bounds, the news reached the CM.

Singh's increasing wealth was also noticed by the central government authorities and even before investigations were initiated, he was shown the door by Akhilesh.

Singh's political career has been a roller coaster ride. Thanks to his consecutive wins in Hariya, he created his identity as a 'dabang' neta and a veteran leader. However, charges of nepotism in politics and interference in contracts have also been levelled against him. At the same time, the credit of Development Authority status of to Basti is also accorded to him.

The Bahubali minister started his student political career as a leader of APNPE degree college. In 2002, he became district panchayat member for the first time.

Before joining the SP, Singh had won the Hariya seat on a BSP ticket. As a rebel leader of BSP he joined hands with Mulayam Singh Yadav and became a Cabinet minister for the first time in 2003.

In 2012, when the SP came to power, Singh emerged an esteemed minister. He became the Forest minister in 2003, 2007 and for a short span in 2012. He was then given charge of important portfolios of panchayati raj, irrigation and animal husbandry.

It was due to Rajkishore Singh's political influence that his son was made the president of district panchayat and his brother the advisor in the energy department. His family was considered the second most powerful Samajwadi family. No wonder then that his expulsion met with a mixed response.