JOIN USUttar Pradesh Chief Minister and newly anointed Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav may deny tickets to tainted and controversial leaders.
Akhilesh, who is finalising the SP’s first list of nominees, is likely to deny tickets to mafia don-turned-politician Ateeq Ahmed.
Ahmed had figured in the list released earlier by Akhilesh’s uncle and the then state unit president Shivpal Singh Yadav.
Ahmed, who faces several criminal cases, including those of murder and extortion, had been made SP nominee from Kanpur Cantonment seat.
He may, however, contest as an independent if he is denied ticket, a source said.
A source in the party said Aman Mani Tripathi, who is in jail in connection with the murder of his wife, may also be denied ticket from Nautanwan seat in Maharajganj district. Tripathi’s name also figured in the earlier SP list.
A SP leader close to the chief minister said, “Akhilesh wants to send a message that he prefers only candidates with a clean image”.
The chief minister had strongly opposed attempts to merge mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari’s Quami Ekta Dal (QED) with the SP. The merger, which was being facilitated by Shivpal, was one of the reasons behind the SP family feud.
Akhilesh is likely to accommodate the names of Shivpal’s supporters though he has reservations on some.