Uttar Pradesh on Thursday suspended two Indian Administrative Service officers for writing messages in an official publication that praises Congress MP Rahul Gandhi [Images] for the development of Sultanpur district.

The suspended officers are Commissioner of Faizabad division Venkateshawarlu and district magistrate of Sultanpur Sanjai Kumar besides two others, official sources said.

The Faizabad divisional commissioner and the district magistrate of Sultanpur have been suspended for writing messages in the book written by the regional publicity officer of Sultanpur Shrikant Srivastava.

The book entitled Sultanpur-Kal Aaj Aur Kal contained appreciation for Rahul, the Lok Sabha MP from Amethi, whose criticism of Mayawati government has evoked sharp reaction from the chief minister.

Besides Venkateshwaralu and Kumar, the then chief development officer Ishtadeo Prasad Singh and assistant director, information, Pramod Kumar Singh were suspended, the sources said.