Lucknow, Jan 30: Uttar Pradesh`s ruling BSP could
field history-sheeter and independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari and his MP brother Afzal Ansari in coming Lok Sabha polls if Chief Minister Mayawati clears their induction in her party.
Afzal, an MP from Ghazipur who was released from jail
last week after getting bail in BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai murder
case, met her here on January 28 and 29 and presented his case
before her.
Afzal had won last Lok Sabha elections on a Samajwadi
Party ticket but later moved close to BSP during the trust
vote in Lok Sabha on Indo-US nuclear deal.
"I have met Mayawatiji twice and expressed my desire to
contest the coming Lok Sabha polls under the banner of BSP.
I sought a ticket from Ghazipur. I asked her to accept me in
the party.....", Afzal told reporters today.
Asked about Mukhtar, who is currently in jail, Afzal said
he also discussed his case with the Chief Minister and sought
nomination for him from Mau seat.
"Mukhtar, who is an independent MLA, had contested from
Mau against Congress leader Kalpnath Rai in 1996 on a BSP
ticket", Afzal said adding his younger brother wanted to
contest from either Mau or Varanasi seat.
"I have put forward my point before behenji (Mayawati). It
is now for her to decide.... I am hopeful", Afzal said.
The two Ansari brothers are considered to have clout in
eastern Uttar Pradesh in a number of districts adjoining
their constituencies Mau and Ghazipur.
Mukhtar, who is a mafia as per police records, was also an
accused of communal riots in Mau during the previous SP rule.
The eldest of the Ansari brothers Sibgatullah Ansari, a SP
MLA from Mohammadabad, is also likely to join BSP.
If Sibgatullaha resigns from SP, BSP might field him from
Ghosi parliamentary seat, BSP sources said.
However, when asked on the issue, Afzal said it was upto
Sibgatullah to decide his course of action.
According to BSP sources, names of Afzal and Mukhtar will
be formally announced by the party in a day or two for the
seats of their choice.
Bureau Report
