Lucknow: Mukhtar Ansari, once named in more than 40 criminal cases - including murder and kidnapping - and currently in jail in Lucknow, has joined Mayawati's party. Proclaiming that it is "our duty to help people who lose their way," the Dalit icon and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister announced her new recruits today.
Mr Ansari, 56, joins Mayawati with his son and brother, who do not have criminal records. All three will run for election from the family stronghold in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. "There are bigger goondas (criminals) in other parties," Mayawati said as justification for acquiring the controversial don-turned-politician. She also said that the cases against him, at least some of which were filed during her earlier terms as Chief Minister "are not genuine."
In a huge outreach to Muslims, who form 18 per cent of the state, Mayawati has selected 97 candidates from the community, a record for her party.
Mr Ansari formed his party Quami Ekta Dal in 2010. Imprisoned in 2005, he won the last election despite not being able to campaign for it, from Mau, which remains his constituency with Mayawati withdrawing three candidates already announced by her party, the Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP, for the seats allotted to the Ansaris.
Last year, the Samajwadi Party had announced that Mr Ansari's party was merging with it based on a deal made by Shivpal Yadav, who is uncle to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. The deal was declared unacceptable by Akhilesh Yadav, who has recently triumphed in a raucous feud for power with his uncle and father, Mulayam Singh.
The Ansaris are from a very well-known political family in UP - Mukhtar Ansari's grandfather Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari was national president of the Congress party - and are seen to have considerable influence in about 20 assembly constituencies in Ghazipur, Mau, Azamgarh, Ballia, and Varanasi.
Mr Ansari, 56, joins Mayawati with his son and brother, who do not have criminal records. All three will run for election from the family stronghold in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. "There are bigger goondas (criminals) in other parties," Mayawati said as justification for acquiring the controversial don-turned-politician. She also said that the cases against him, at least some of which were filed during her earlier terms as Chief Minister "are not genuine."
Mr Ansari formed his party Quami Ekta Dal in 2010. Imprisoned in 2005, he won the last election despite not being able to campaign for it, from Mau, which remains his constituency with Mayawati withdrawing three candidates already announced by her party, the Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP, for the seats allotted to the Ansaris.
Advertisement
The Ansaris are from a very well-known political family in UP - Mukhtar Ansari's grandfather Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari was national president of the Congress party - and are seen to have considerable influence in about 20 assembly constituencies in Ghazipur, Mau, Azamgarh, Ballia, and Varanasi.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Top Court Concerned Over Political Influence, Revives Murder Case Against Ex MLA Another Politician Hacked To Death In Tamil Nadu, Cops Say Revenge Killing Tamil Nadu BSP Chief K Armstrong's Murder Accused Killed In Police Encounter 'Entire NEET Paper Solved In 45 Minutes Before Exam?': Top Court To Centre "Had God On My Side": Donald Trump Recounts Being Shot At During Rally 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters "Every Time I Try To Eat Healthy" - Video Creator's Editing Skills Amaze Internet Watch: Comedian's Wholesome Interaction With Indian-Origin Woman Is Viral Donald Trump Accepts Republican Nomination Amid Chants Of USA From Crowd Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.