Mafia turned politician, joins SP despite CM's opposition

Lucknow: Much to the annoyance of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, the Quami Ekta Dal , a party headed by mafia-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari , merged into the ruling Samajwadi party here on Tuesday. The party has two members in the state assembly including Ansari.

The merger was announced by Akhilesh's uncle and public works department minister Shivpal Yadav at a p;ress conference. Describing the merger as " home coming" of Ansari and his brother, Yadav said this will strengthen the party (SP) and produce better results in the eastern region of the state including Varanasi, Gajipur, Ballia and Mau.

It is also aimed at attracting more Muslims to the party fold and improving the electoral prospects. Ansari was with the party before 2010 when he had switched loyalty to the Bahujan Samaj Party. His joining, however, has not been liked by many in the party including the chief minister because of his " bad" image.

Ansari represents Mau in the Assembly and is being associated with murder of a journalist in Bihar. Bihar police is keeping a close watch on him. He is believed to be close to Siwan criminal and RJD strongman Shahbuddin who is in a Bihar jail

According to the party insiders, CM Akhilesh had vehemently opposed the move of the party but was overruled by the seniors including his father and party president Mulayam Singh Yadav.

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