Don may opt out of electoral battle in Varanasi

Jailed mafia don-turned-politician and independent legislator Mukhtar Ansari, who had earlier declared that he would also take a plunge in the electoral battle at Varanasi, could opt out of the contest and instead support a ‘joint nominee’ from the ‘secular parties’ against BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

   An indication to this effect was dropped by Mukhtar’s brother and president of the Quami Ekta Dal (QAD) floated by the don a few years back, Afzal Ansari. Ansari said that his outfit was of the opinion that a joint candidate from the ‘secular parties’ should be fielded against Modi to prevent division in secular votes.

Mukhtar has declared that he will  contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from Ghosi seat as well. He said that at a recent meeting of the QAD, the members had expressed ‘conflicting views’ on whether Mukhtar should contest from Varanasi. In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, Mukhtar had contested on BSP ticket from Varanasi and had narrowly lost to BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi by 17,000 votes.

“We are reconsidering the decision to field Mukhtar from Varanasi....we do not want to create any confusion among the Muslims in the constituency”, he added.

Ansari said that his outfit felt that some ‘secular parties’might have problems in extending support to Mukhtar owing to his image as he faces several criminal cases. Ansari, however, expressed confidence that there would be a consensus on fielding a joint candidate against Modi.

It was not clear if Ansari would consider supporting the Congress nominee Ajai Rai with whom Mukhtar had a long standing rivalry.

The chances of a joint nominee against Modi , however, appeared to be dim. The BSP has already made it clear that it will not withdraw its candidate from the fray under ‘any circumstances’. Samajwadi Party leaders here also out rightly rejected the same.