In an attempt to corner BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Varanasi, the Samajwadi Party might rope in dreaded mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari in its fold.
There is a line of thinking in the SP that if Modi contests from Varanasi the party would adopt Mukhtar to ensure there is no division of Muslim votes in this holy city.
“There is a possibility that the Samajwadi Party either might bring Mukhtar and his party in the SP’s fold or give support to Mukhtar from Varanasi to ensure tough fight for Modi. If the SP contests election there would be division of Muslim votes between Mukhtar and the SP candidate. This would ensure a cakewalk for Modi,” a senior party leader told The Pioneer on Friday.
He said no final decision has been taken in this regard but an idea in line is taking round in party office.
The Samajwadi Party has fielded lesser known Surendra Patel from Varanasi.
Mukhtar Ansari, who is in jail in connection with the murder of a BJP MlA, Krishnanand Rai, has already announced his candidature as Quami Ekta Dal’s (QED) candidate from Varanasi. He was to earlier contest from Ghosi and Mukhtar’s wife Afshan was earlier declared as candidate from Varanasi. Once it was clear that Narendra Modi would contest from Varanasi the QED leadership decided that Mukhtar would contest from Varanasi.
In 2009, Mukhtar had contested from Varanasi on a BSP ticket and lost to BJP’s Murli Manohar Joshi by around 17,000 votes. Mukhtar had established the QED and is currently the party MlA from Mau. In 2012 Assembly elections, the QED, with five other smaller parties under the banner of Ekta Manch, had contested 43 seats and won only two seats. Mukhtar won from Mau while his brother Sibgatulla won from Mohammadabad in Ghazipur.
Party sources say Mulayam Singh might not go in favour of taking Mukhtar Ansari in the SP because he is still in jail. His induction in the party might raise many questions. Though the party has given ticket to mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad from Srawasti but does not want bad press at this juncture. But the SP can support him by withdrawing its own candidate, he said.