Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Amitabh Thakur, who was given premature retirement earlier this year, will be contesting the 2022 state assembly polls against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his family has announced.


Launching a vitriolic attack on the Chief Minister, the former IPS officer’s wife Nutan said it is a “fight for principles for him where he shall be presenting his protest to the wrongdoings”.


“Sri Adityanath undertook many undemocratic, improper, suppressive, harassing and discriminatory steps during his tenure as Chief Minister,” she alleged.


“Hence, Amitabh (Thakur) shall be contesting the election against Sri Adityanath from any place he contests,” PTI quoted her as saying in a statement issued in Lucknow.


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Following a decision taken by the Union Home Ministry, the IPS officer was given compulsory retirement in “public interest” on March 23.


Thakur was “not found fit to be retained for the remaining tenure of his service”, an order from the Union Home Ministry had said.


“In the public interest, Amitabh Thakur is being given premature retirement before completion of his service with immediate effect,” the order had said.


Thakur, who would have completed his service in 2028, had earlier in 2017 urged the Central government to change his cadre state.